04 September 2004	Saturday	18 Rajab 1425

KUALA LUMPUR: The unexpected release of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has brought rumours of political change in Malaysia, but analysts say the once-charismatic leader is unlikely to pose a real threat to political opponents.

After the Federal Court announced that he was a free man after serving six years in jail on corruption charges, Anwar praised new prime minister Abdullah Badawi for not interfering in the country's judicial system which Anwar claims has been under the thumb of powerful politicians.

The once-charismatic leader, who looked both relieved and weary after the court acquitted him of a conviction for sodomy, showed a hint of his former aggressive self when he pledged to continue to carry out his agenda of political reform.

As a former convict, Anwar is banned from political activity for five years, but he is able to run for office in the next elections. And if the Federal Court overturns his corruption conviction at a hearing next Monday, he could make an immediate comeback to politics.

However, analysts say Anwar is not expected to pose any real threat to Abdullah, who has strengthened his grip on power following a resounding election victory in March. "Six years is a long time to be out of the political arena, and the (political) situation now has changed," said Malaysian Strategic Research Centre executive director Abdul Razak Baginda.

He said support for the once-massively popular Anwar was reduced to a small group of loyalists, adding that it was unlikely the former politician would be a threat to the current government.

Anwar's release is believed to further strengthen Abdullah's current popularity, and the decision would also water down any future criticism of corruption and cronyism in the government, a main contention of Anwar and other opposition parties.

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang hailed Anwar's release as a long-awaited change in the political scenario of the country's opposition. His release "comes as a shaft of light to clear the darkness which has enveloped the judiciary for more than a half-decade", said Lim. -dpa