Defining moment, now to move on

New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur

Above all else, the rejoicing victory and strident vindication that came with Anwar Ibrahim's acquittal by the Federal Court on Thursday should be the judiciary's.

For far too long, this third limb of the Government has suffered a credibility crisis over doubts on the manner justice is dispensed in some cases and out of a perhaps unfair perception that it is not independent.

The overturned conviction of the former deputy Prime Minister has, to a large extent, eased such fears, reaffirming what the country's leadership past and present, has said many times about our courts -- that they are uninhibited, uncontrolled and unbridled. Thursday's decision was certainly not just about the reinstatement of confidence but also a reiteration of hope.

There is no denying that Anwar's indictment had caused tribulations rarely seen in the country. Like a knife, it cut into the heart of the Malaysian political balance, sliced support for the ruling government and divided even ordinary Malaysians. It also ignited street protests and pulled down Barisan Nasional (BN)'s popularity in the 1999 general election, apart from drawing many unkind remarks from foreign governments.

The court decision could be seen as yet another defining moment for the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who less than six months ago led BN to its biggest ever win in the general election. Even Anwar, never generous with compliments to the country's leadership the past six years, gave credit to Abdullah upon his release.

But even with Abdullah's steady hand in substantially cooling the embers and patching up the split ever since he became Prime Minister in October last year, the Anwar issue still needed a closure, a finality. And this was delivered by the Federal Court, coincidentally six years to the day Anwar was sacked from the Government.

Anwar's acquittal should bring the curtains down on one of the most protracted and bizarre political sagas the country has ever seen. And the fact that the former Deputy Prime Minister said he held no grudges against anyone, maybe, augurs well for the future.

Indeed, the feel-good factor emerging from the court decision gives Malaysians a lot to hope for. The stock market rose nearly 2 percent on Thursday, an indication perhaps that finally, investors, particularly foreigners, are discarding their remaining doubts over the perceived constraints on the independence of the judiciary.

The nation has gone through a lot the past few years. The best thing for us to do now is to feel victorious not so much over the verdict of the court, but the vindication on its independence. As Malaysians, it is perhaps the right time to close this chapter in our history and move on. We are blessed with renewed economic growth and promise of greater prosperity; but undeniably, there are still great challenges out there for us, as a country, as a people.