Malaysian govt frees pardons opposition leader anwar

You're referring to the recent news about Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian opposition leader!

Yes, on August 11, 2021, Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah granted royal pardons to Anwar Ibrahim, freeing him from a five-year prison sentence for sodomy. Anwar, who has been a prominent figure in Malaysian politics for decades, was convicted of sodomy in 2015 and had been serving his sentence at the Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor.

The pardon was granted after Anwar's lawyers filed an appeal to the Federal Court, citing a lack of evidence in the case. The court had previously dismissed Anwar's appeal in 2018.

Anwar's release has been seen as a significant development in Malaysian politics, as he is widely regarded as a potential prime minister-in-waiting. His party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), is a key component of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, which won the 2018 general election and formed the government.

Anwar's release has sparked celebrations among his supporters, who see it as a major victory for democracy and human rights in Malaysia. However, the move has also been criticized by some as a political maneuver to pave the way for Anwar to take over as prime minister.

What do you think about Anwar's release and its implications for Malaysian politics?