Malaysia's new PM says monarch agrees to pardon opposition icon Anwar
Newly-elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced that Malaysia's monarch has expressed willingness to grant a full pardon to imprisoned opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
"The (king) has indicated he is willing to pardon Datuk Sri Anwar immediately," Mahathir declared on Friday during a press conference just a day after the 92-year-old was sworn in following his upset win over Najib Razak and the country’s long-ruling coalition.
"We will begin the... proper process of obtaining a pardon for Datuk Sri Anwar," he further underlined, making clear that "this means a full pardon.”
“He should be released immediately when he is pardoned," added Mahathir, who has pledged to eventually step down and hand over the premiership to Anwar following his release from prison.
Mahathir and Anwar, two former allies that fell out during the 1998 Asian financial crisis, formed a coalition to challenge the re-election of Najib and oust his ruling coalition from power. Anwar had been jailed on charges of sodomy and corruption and, cannot assume any office until he is pardoned and released.
The new prime minister also stated at the news conference that he would announce a 10-member cabinet on Saturday, including key ministers for ministries of finance, defense and home affairs.
Mahathir's reconciliation with Anwar has been regarded as one of the most remarkable aspects of a thrilling election contest.
Anwar used to be a senior government figure and considered Mahathir's heir apparent until he was sacked in 1998 over political differences. He was subsequently jailed on charges of sodomy and abuse of power in a case broadly criticized as politically motivated.
Anwar was again imprisoned in 2015 during Najib's rule for a second sodomy conviction. He was already scheduled to be released next month.
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