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Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been pardoned by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
The former deputy prime minister walked out from his prison hospital a free man at 11.30am today into a Malaysia transformed by the stunning electoral victory he helped orchestrate alongside his once-sworn political foe, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Surrounded by media and supporters, Anwar walked out of a Kuala Lumpur’s Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital where he was recovering from surgery. Anwar had been serving a five-year prison sentence for sodomy charges he says were politically motivated. Until his early release, he had been scheduled to be freed in early June.
The 70-year-old democracy champion looked jubilant as he emerged from the hospital smiling, waving and giving a thumbs-up to crowds of media and well-wishers.
Anwar was quickly bundled into a black SUV alongside his wife, deputy Prime minister-designate Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, amid increasingly chaotic scenes and a frantic media scrum heading to Istana Negara for an audience with the King.
He was met by Dr Mahathir at the palace’s step before he went in to meet the King.
“The appeal for a full pardon for PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was presented and considered by the 51st Pardons Board meeting,” a statement issued by the Palace.
“In line with article 42 of the federal constitution the king, on the advice of the Pardons Board, concerns to grant a full pardon and immediate freedom to Anwar Ibrahim effective from the date of the Pardons Board meeting.”
Anwar has led Malaysia’s reformasi movement for the past two decades — some eight of those from prison.
His expected re-entry into Malaysian public life comes as the country is undergoing a major political transformation following last Wednesday’s shock electoral defeat of a government that has ruled the country for 61 years.
The royal pardon potentially paves the way for him to succeed Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir had promised to stay on as prime minister for two years before handing over power to Anwar, while Dr Wan Azizah would be made deputy prime minister.
In his first press conference at his residence later, Anwar said he is in no rush to take over the reins and is happy to allow Dr Mahathir to first set the country’s economy back on course and resolve a number of high profile corruption scandals, including 1MDB.
