Anwar moves to clear name, make political comeback
Anwar moves to clear name, make political comeback
Agence France-Presse, Putrajaya, Malaysia
Malaysia's highest court will decide on Tuesday whether to review the corruption conviction of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, a move which could lead to his immediate return to politics.
In a rare challenge in Malaysia's legal system, Anwar's lawyers on Monday launched a final bid to clear his name completely, just days after the same Federal Court overturned his sodomy conviction and set him free after nearly six years in jail.
At a brief hearing, Anwar's lawyers asked the federal court to review its own decision in 2002 to refuse his appeal against his corruption conviction and six-year sentence. They said fundamental legal principles had been violated in his trial.
Government lawyers opposed the application, arguing that as the highest court in the land, the federal court's decisions should be final and not open to endless review.
Anwar has already served the sentence for corruption, which alleged he abused his power to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct. But he is barred from entering politics for five years unless the conviction is overturned.
"The circumstances cry out for the hearing. Anwar wants to return to public life," his lawyer Karpal Singh told the three- judge bench.
Karpal said later he was confident the review would be allowed on Tuesday, adding that the arguments would be brief and both defense and prosecution could wrap up the case within a day.
Anwar flew to Germany on Saturday for an operation on his spine, which he says was injured in a police beating after his arrest in 1998. He is expected to return in about three weeks.
At 57, Anwar is young enough to make a political comeback. The crowd of several thousand that turned out at the airport to see him off showed that he still commands fervent support.
He was heir-apparent to then-premier Mahathir Mohamad before being sacked and jailed on charges which he says were trumped up to prevent him challenging Mahathir for the premiership.
Anwar has been cagey about his political plans, pledging to continue struggling to reform what he calls a corrupt political system but also leaving open the possibility of cooperating with the government.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over when Mahathir retired last October after 22 years in power, has already cut some of Anwar's opposition platform from under him -- making the fight against corruption a central plank of his new administration.
Abdullah is also a far less confrontational politician than Mahathir. He and Anwar have exchanged civil comments about each other since Anwar's release, with both saying they are prepared to meet.
Anwar's best chance of regaining a political leadership position lies in a return to the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO), of which he was formerly vice-president, analysts say.
But they point out that any attempt by Anwar to regain his status as heir-apparent to the premiership would be fraught with difficulty given the party's reputation for power struggles and infighting.
If he chooses instead to take over the leadership of the National Justice Party (Keadilan), set up by his wife after his arrest, he is likely to remain marginalized. UMNO has led Malaysia's ruling coalition without serious challenge since independence from Britain in 1957.
Much depends on the decision by the federal court. If his corruption conviction is not overturned he will be barred not only from an elected position but from holding any political office -- such as that of Keadilan president.