Anwar, now 70, was granted a royal pardon over a sodomy conviction that saw him jailed for the past three years. His release is likely to add to public feelings of excitement about a new era in the country following the stunning election result. It sets up a tantalising reunion with his one-time mentor turned nemesis and now ally again -- Mahathir Mohamad. The 92-year-old former autocrat Mahathir had headed the now-ousted Barisan Nasional regime for 22 years until 2003 but came out of retirement to lead a disparate opposition to an unexpected election victory. Mahathir has said he expects to run the government for up to two years but has signalled the reins would be turned over to the Anwar eventually.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 16, 2018 03:56 UTC