Former Malaysian leader returns home from abroad

Former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim returned home amidst tight police security on Sunday from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after spending almost two months abroad.

He was accompanied by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Welcoming them at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) were their children and family members as well as hundreds of their supporters.

There were police roadblocks leading to the airport. Some buses were seen stopped at the highway.

Selangor Police Deputy Commissioner Mohamad Fauzi Shaari on Friday warned the public that the police had not issued any permit for a gathering to welcome Anwar at the airport, therefore, any gathering would be viewed as illegal.

He also said that the police would mount six roadblocks leading to and from KLIA and road closures at three points.

Anwar left for Munich, Germany early last month where he successfully underwent an incisive spinal surgery. He later left for Mecca to perform the Umrah (visit to the holy place).

He was released from jail on Sept. 2 after the Federal Court granted his appeal against his conviction for sodomy.

Anwar became Deputy Prime Minister in 1993 and was sacked in September 1998. He had already completed a six-year sentence for corruption.

Source: Xinhua