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.