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Reuters

Supporters of jailed Malaysian reformist leader Anwar Ibrahim are hoping for his imminent release as the pardons board in the capital meets on Wednesday to discuss his case. 
Several in his People's Justice Party (PKR) expect Anwar to walk free on the same day, though there has been no official confirmation of a release date.
Anwar, 70, is serving a second five-year jail term for sodomy, which is a crime in Malaysia. He and his supporters have said the charges are politically motivated.
A royal pardon would reverse Anwar’s conviction and make him eligible to actively participate in politics.
At present he is in hospital where he has been for the last few months recovering from a shoulder surgery.

“All documentation for the pardon petition is in order and complete,” PKR member Sivarasa Rasiah said in a statement late on Monday. 
“The prime minister has given his assurance that the meeting of the pardons board will proceed as scheduled now at 11am on Wednesday.”
Mahathir begins big government clean-up but is his ruling coalition in a mess?
PKR allied with Malaysia’s 92-year-old leader Mahathir Mohamad to win the general election last week. 
Mahathir, who has been sworn in as prime minister for a second innings, had promised during the campaign to secure a pardon for Anwar and then step down in two years and give him the prime minister’s post.

Mahathir vowed on Monday to investigate any faults that may have been committed by the government of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak and said all ministries had been instructed not to destroy any documents.
He announced that he would appoint a new anti-corruption commission chief and replace the attorney general who had cleared Najib of wrongdoing in a multibillion-dollar scandal linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state fund.
The government has also transferred the top bureaucrat in the finance ministry with immediate effect while the chairman of the state palm oil plantation agency, Felda, has resigned.


News broke in 2015 that about US$700 million allegedly stolen from 1MDB had made its way into Najib’s personal bank accounts. 
Najib has said the deposit was a donation by an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family which had been largely returned.
Najib set up 1MDB in 2009 and previously served as chairman of its advisory board. He and the fund have denied wrongdoing.
Mahathir blocked Najib from leaving the country last weekend.
Additional reporting by Associated Press


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Malaysia pardons board to discuss Anwar Ibrahim’s release on Wednesday

Malaysia’s historic change of government paves the way for a comeback for jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia's newly elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announces in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on May 11, 2018, that the king has consented to grant jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim a full pardon, which will enable him to run for office immediately and take over from the 92-year-old Mahathir. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Anwar watched Mahathir’s swearing-in ceremony with two long time loyalists Azmin Ali and Afif Bahardin. He is currently recuperating from a surgery at Cheras Hospital in the capital Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout

Malaysian PM Mahathir begins big government clean up, but is his ruling coalition in a mess?

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir waves to delegates who follow Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah after a meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Monday, May 14, 2018. Photo: AP

This handout photograph taken and released on May 14, 2018 by Malaysia's Department of Information shows newly installed Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (R) attending a meeting at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya. The 92-year-old Mahathir is now the world's oldest elected leader after winning the country's general election on May 9. / AFP PHOTO / DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION / WAZARI WAZIR / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION / WAZARI WAZIR" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Protesters bring the dummy of the luxury yacht Equanimity during a protest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Protesters gathered Saturday in Kuala Lumpur to call for the arrest of businessperson Jho Low over the alleged multibillion-dollar theft of funds from a Malaysian state investment company. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

Dzulkifli Ahmad, Chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. Photo: Handout

Interview with Robert Kuok of Kerry Group at Kerry Centre, Quarry Bay. 25AUG15

epa06734782 Invenstors look at trading boards at a private stock market gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14 May 2018. The Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM, Bank Negara Malaysia) expects the economic outlook, following the country's general election, to remain strong in the medium and long-term due to its vigorous financial system. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

epa06727117 (FILE) - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (C) and his wife, Wan Azizah (2-L) arrive at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, Malaysia, 03 November 2014 (reissued 11 May 2018). According to media reports, newly-elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said on 11 May 2018, that Malaysia's King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, has agreed to grant a full pardon to jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim. Ibrahim, 70, who is currently in custody on charges of sodomy and corruption, was found guilty of sodomizing his former aide in an upscale condominium in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in 2008. Mahathir added that he will step down once Anwar will be pardoned and released from custody, handing over him the prime minister's post, media added. EPA-EFE/AHMAD YUSNI *** Local Caption *** 51646667

*** ONE TIME USE ONLY *** Leonardo DiCaprio (left) with Low, the Malaysian businessman at the center of the 1MDB embezzlement scandal.

Malaysia’s jailed opposition leader Anwar ‘to be released in days’

Anwar Ibrahim. Photo: AFP

Anwar’s wife Wan Azizah with Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: AFP

(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 5, 2016 Malaysian jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (C) walks out from a court house in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's king has agreed to pardon jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim immediately, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on May 11, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / STR

Anwar in hospital

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Malaysia’s historic change of government paves the way for a comeback for jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim


Malaysia’s historic change of government paves the way for a comeback for jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim.


Malaysia

Mahathir Mohamad

Malaysia pardons board to discuss Anwar Ibrahim’s release on Wednesday

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Malaysia’s historic change of government paves the way for a comeback for jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s historic change of government paves the way for a comeback for jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim