The art of possibilities

Anwar says he'll return to politics despite ban
SINGAPORE: Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim said Monday he will re-enter politics despite a ban against him seeking office until 2008 by what he called the country's "corrupt judicial system."
"I have decided to re-enter the foray," Anwar said in a speech to Singapore's Foreign Correspondents Association. "Some say I've never left politics and I think I agree with that."
He said he would run in May 26 elections for his Keadilan party.
"Now that I've come back to contest in the party elections, not withstanding the decision by the courts, I don't want to be seen as having to submit to a decadent, corrupt judicial system," he said in an hour long speech that covered a broad range of topics.
Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998 by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad over allegations of homosexuality and corruption. He has said the charges were trumped up (which is not true) because he had begun to challenge Mahathir's authority.
Anwar was arrested, tried for alleged corruption and sodomy, and sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison. He was released in September 2004 after being acquitted of sodomy.
But he had already finished serving the corruption sentence, and that criminal record bars him from holding any political office and from running in general elections until April 2008.
On Monday, Anwar acknowledged that the chances he could contest in elections before April 2008 were "very slim."
"But we will ensure that the party is strong and that Malaysians will support the party," he said.
He said Keadilan was working separately on a number of issues with the ruling United Malays National Organization party and the Islamic party.
Keadilan, set up in 1999, is currently headed by Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
If Anwar becomes Keadilan president in next month's elections, the party would have to apply to the Registrar of Society to request that the ban on political office be waived.
If the registrar refuses, the party can appeal the decision in court. If it loses the appeal, Anwar would have to step down or the party would risk being de-registered.
General elections, held at least every five years, are not due until early 2009, but political parties are already preparing for early polls. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has declined to give any indication of whether he will call snap elections.

tunku : this joker never ending fairy tales always make me feel sick. when he was in power he forgot what he has been doing, supporting and preaching but when SACKED he changed his skin like snake changes the skin.he knows that he can't stand on any election may it be for party election or GE till April 2008 but still want to contest in Keadilan party election next month. As the article says,the party would have to apply to the Registrar to waived the ban and if he refuses, then appeal in court and if loses anwar have to step down or the party would risk being de-registered. Maybe this is what anwar wants,so that he could join umno back,and once he joins umno, he will say that umno now has change bla bla bla.you never know this man, for power he can do anything.