Anwar heading home
International Herald Tribune
October 19, 2004

Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, plans to return home on Oct. 31 after nearly two months abroad, an aide said, but he will avoid strenuous political activity during the Muslim fasting period that ends next month.
 
Anwar, who was freed from a Malaysian prison on Sept. 2 after serving nearly six years on corruption and sodomy convictions, wants to "make up for lost time by meeting old friends and renewing ties," Kamarul Baharin Abbas, treasurer of the opposition People's Justice Party, said Monday.
 
Anwar left Malaysia two days after his release to undergo surgery in Germany for a longstanding back injury. He has since recovered and traveled to Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage.
 
"He's in no hurry to do anything once he gets back," Kamarul said. He said Anwar would consider his next move after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends in mid-November.
 
Considered one of Malaysia's most charismatic politicians, Anwar was forced from office in 1998 by Mahathir bin Mohamad, then the prime minister, amid a power struggle; he was subsequently jailed under Malaysia's national security laws. He was later convicted of corruption and sodomy and sentenced to prison terms totaling 15 years.
 
Anwar claims the charges were fabricated to prevent him from challenging Mahathir, who retired in October 2003 and was succeeded by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
 
Anwar regained his freedom last month when Malaysia's highest court threw out the sodomy conviction. The court separately upheld the corruption sentence, which Anwar had already served. The latter decision means that he cannot run for office until April 2008.
 
Anwar has said his priority is to push for democratic reforms and galvanize the opposition.
 
Supporters have submitted a request to the government to let them hold a welcoming ceremony for Anwar at a sports stadium. Kamarul, the opposition party treasurer, said the party expected that at least 50,000 people would want to greet him.
 
Public rallies in Malaysia require a police permit, and if the government refuses to grant one the rally will be held in Anwar's family home in an upscale Kuala Lumpur neighborhood, Kamarul said.
 
He did not say how the party will deal with the spillover once the house is filled up.
 
"Anwar will probably deliver a message to them, and a message to the nation," Kamarul said. "He wants to assure them that he will contribute to the country's political well-being," Kamarul added.
 
Anwar, he also said, will work with any party "for the betterment of the country."
 
Several thousand supporters brought Kuala Lumpur's international airport to a standstill when they gathered to cheer Anwar during his departure last month.

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