Anwar is now at the crossroads

Wong Chun Wai, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

Days before the three-person Federal Court bench met to deliver the verdict on Thursday on the appeal of Anwar Ibrahim against the sodomy charge, the Prime Minister was told that Anwar would walk out a free man.

The speculation had gained momentum and it was only natural that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would come to hear of it. His reaction, according to his inner circle of advisers, was simple: If Anwar was acquitted, the court decision must be respected.

It was a court process and the judiciary alone must make a decision. The glimmer of hope for Anwar and his family became stronger in the last 48 hours before the verdict, prompting speculation of some kind of a deal.

A family friend of Anwar narrated how Wan Azizah Wan Ismail sent word turning down a weekend dinner invitation because she would likely be overseas with Anwar after his release.

On Wednesday night, as reporters called up Anwar's lawyer Sankara N. Nair for confirmation on what they had heard over the grapevine, the former policeman-turned-lawyer was guarded, saying he did not want to harbor false hopes and he had heard of such talk too many times.

But, as the BBC reported, Nair proceeded to spell out in detail the next day's schedule of press conferences, passport application and a possible journey to Germany for surgery.

Anwar, 57, is now at the crossroads. He has to decide which direction to take. He has had plenty of time to reflect on the political avenues before him.

Among the factors he would have considered are the massive mandate for Abdullah, the humiliating defeat for PAS and the disastrous outing for Parti Keadilan Nasional in the recent general election.

Some of the key issues of the reformasi movement -- such as fighting corruption and restoring credibility to key institutions -- have been given immediate attention by Abdullah.

Anwar had often complained about the lack of independence of the judiciary. Ironically, before the Federal Court bench met to decide on his appeal, Anwar applied to disqualify two judges, Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad and Justice Tengku Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud, from hearing his case.

But the most important factor which would have the biggest impact on Anwar's political future is the positive sentiment for Abdullah. With the release of Anwar, the opposition has lost a big issue.

His conviction had, in some ways, clouded foreign opinion of Malaysia but with the new development, the perception of Malaysia would certainly change in the eyes of many foreign leaders and investors.

The immediate indicator was the boost in the stock market on Friday but let us not discount the buoyant economy. That aside, the world has been positive towards the reforms being carried out by Abdullah and all this has been reflected in the endorsement from major leaders.

Anwar can choose to lead a multi-racial opposition with ties to PAS and DAP but given the Islamist party's conservative stance and insistence on setting up an orthodox Islamic state, he would have a big headache. The DAP has learnt its lesson, in the most bitter way, and would shy away from such a commitment again.

Another option is to rejoin UMNO. These are still early days and the matter has not been brought up, according to sources in Putrajaya, but nothing is impossible in politics.

Anwar has been a Keadilan adviser but has never held any post. He can also argue that he never left the party because he was sacked. Interestingly, his right-hand man, Azmin Ali, said there had been no serious invitation from UMNO while Wan Azizah skirted the subject by saying that Anwar was released not to join UMNO.

Upon his release, Anwar said he must "take cognizance of the fact that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must have allowed some latitude for the judges to act professionally and freely. But this is only the beginning."

It would not be wrong to suggest that the Malay community has long wanted the Anwar issue to end. With his acquittal, it has come to a formal end.

National unity and reconciliation should be the priority and, given Anwar's appeal and abilities, it would be a waste if these factors were not taken into account.

No one expects Anwar to retire or go into exile. In all likelihood, he will be a major political player but he may find himself shut out for a long time. His corruption conviction, which he finished serving last year, bars him from holding electoral office until 2008 (elections would likely be called a year earlier).

Much water has passed under the bridge after six years. The days of street demonstrations and angry politics are over. A new prime minister, known for his open ways, non-antagonistic politics and moderate approach, is at the helm. It is time to move on and, by now, Anwar must have decided where he wants to go.