Magnificent show of support: Anwar aquitted

In a shock decision, the Najib administration threw in the towel to overwhelming public support for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim. The courts, which are under the thumb of Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno party have acquitted Anwar of sodomy charges.

Thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life shouting Reformasi, Hidup Anwar and ABU or Anything But Umno are still thronging the Kuala Lumpur court complex in Jala Duta where a judiciary under the thumb of Prime Minister Najib Razak is widely expected to pronounce a 'guilty' verdict on Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Such a verdict, even if it comes with a stay of execution, will be a blow to Anwar, as it disallows him from contesting in the 13th general election which Najib is expected to call later this year or early next year. But such an outcome has been anticipated by his Parti Keadilan Rakyat as well as Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

What has not been expected is the sheer size of the crowd that has cascaded into the court complex compound - by 8am, there were already more than 10,000 supporters. This, despite the mountain of threats from the police and Najib himself. Incidentally, Najib fled the country over the weekend on an overseas trip to South Africa, with Umno watchers saying this was to forestall any unpleasant incident so that he could then blame the police or his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The people are still coming in. It is a spontaneous show of support for Anwar and a strong sign of rebellion against the Umno's crooked regime. This augurs well for Malaysia, hopefully when GE-13 takes place, Malaysians will be able to finally kick out Umno and begin to build a bright future together," PKR communications director Nik Nazmi told Malaysia Chronicle. He expects a final crowd size of at least 20,000 people.

Fears of riot, Najib flees overseas

Pundits have also said should a full-fledged riot take place, it would have to be triggered by the police and agent provocateurs from Umno, the ruling party, as only they would have in hand the amount of funds and machinery to spark off a major incident.

Meanwhile, the top leadership of the three parties - PKR, DAP and PAS - forming the Pakatan have already drawn out a course of action, which would be on focusing how to wrest the federal government from Umno, which has ruled Malaysia for 54 years. There is some speculation Anwar may be denied bail but this is highly likely. He is likely to be pronocunced guilty, extended bail, be allowed to appeal his sentence while Najib bides his time on when to spring GE-13 on an opposition he hopes will be badly stymied by Anwar's sentencing.

It now looks like Najib's malafide and political spite has backfired. Despite international calls and advice, Najib has been dead-set on gunning after Anwar, his arch rival from the 1980s and 90s when both were fast rising youth leaders in Umno.

Najib's advisers have changed their tune and are now spreading the word that both he and wife Rosmah Mansor no longer want to pursue the Sodomy II, which they have been blamed for plotting together with complainant Saiful Bukhari Azlan. The case has created too much negative repercussions for them both.

Mahathir returns to rule at Umno

However, Umno power broker and former premier Mahathir Mohamad has insisted the show goes on, or he will support Muhyiddin the Umno party polls due to be held later this year. Some say Dr M even insisted Anwar be jailed immediately, but the legal advice from the Attorney General's office is that such a move would be too contrary to the existing legal practise and spark greater international and national odium for Malaysia's legal system.

"We have been discussing the various scenraios for the longest time. Of course, we cannot reveal except that we will immediately zoom in on GE-13 once the verdict is out," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

"We do not expect Anwar to be denied a stay of execution as that would really stretch the legalities, and cause further loss of credibility for his government. Although Mahathir is clamoring, we don't think Najib can do it because the lash back would be insurmountable. Look at Khir Toyo - serious corruption and still bail."

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