Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who is currently the president of the People's Justice Party and leader of the Pakatan Harapan coalition. He was Leader of the Opposition between 2008 and 2015, and a founder and leading figure of the People's Justice Party .
Anwar served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1993 to 1998 and Finance Minister from 1991 to 1998 when he was a member of UMNO, the major party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. However, he was removed from his post by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and jailed in April 1999. His prosecution has been criticised by human rights groups and several foreign governments, including the US, UK and Australia. Following his release in 2004, Anwar became the leading figure in the opposition and helped coalesce the opposition parties into the Pakatan Rakyat, which contested the 2008 and 2013 general elections.
Anwar began a five-year prison sentence in 2015, after a second sodomy conviction was upheld. Human rights groups again called the conviction politically motivated. However, he received a royal pardon from Sultan Muhammad V, and was released from prison on 16 May 2018.After his imprisonment and the dissolution of the Pakatan Rakyat, a new opposition coalition named the Pakatan Harapan was formed with Anwar as the de facto leader. It is currently the largest political coalition in the Malaysian lower house after the 2018 general election.
He announced plans to contest in the Port Dickson by-election which was vacated by Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, a Parti Keadilan Rakyat stalwart to allow Anwar to return to Parliament. He won the by-election, once again securing a seat in Parliament, and would be the de facto co-leader with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in the Government of Malaysia.
“Thank God justice has prevailed I have been vindicated.”
In response to Judge Zabidin Mohamad Diah not finding Anwar guilty of sodomy, after finding the DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution unreliable, in January 9, 2012, quoted on BBC News, "Anwar Ibrahim acquitted of sodomy in Malaysia" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16463989, 9 January 2012.
Anwar Ibrahim said during a meeting event with bankers and fund managers at a Port Dickson hotel, quoted on The Star Online, "Anwar underscores the need to help the poor" https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/10/anwar-underscores-the-need-to-help-the-poor/, 10 October 2018.
Anwar Ibrahim said during the Port Dickson bi-election campaign rally, quoted on Channel News Asia, "'I love him as a father and a leader': Anwar, Mahathir in show of unity at by-election rally" https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/anwar-ibrahim-mahathir-port-dickson-by-election-pakatan-10805828, 9 October 2018.
Mahathir bin Mohamad on Australia and its perceived political interference in Southeast Asia, Malaysian Politicians Say the Darndest Things [Vol I].
About
“We must together chart a new way forward to save our beloved nation”
Mr Anwar said in a statement from his jail cell, quoted on The Sydney Morning Herald, "Mahathir Mohamad wins jailed Anwar Ibrahim's backing in bit to oust Malaysian PM Najib Razak" http://www.smh.com.au/world/mahathir-mohamad-wins-jailed-anwar-ibrahims-backing-in-bit-to-oust-malaysian-pm-najib-razak-20160303-gnabf8.html, 4 March 2016.
