Malaysian Prime Minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim has taken his oath as a lawmaker, marking his return to active politics three years after he was imprisoned for sodomy in a charge critics said was politically motivated.
The swearing-in ceremony in Parliament on Monday followed Mr. Anwar’s huge win in a by-election on October 13 in the southern coastal town of Port Dickson. The seat was vacated after a lawmaker from his party quit to pave the way for Mr. Anwar’s political comeback.
Mr. Anwar, 71, was designated as successor to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after the two men set aside a bitter feud and united to capture a stunning victory in May’s general election. Mr. Anwar was freed and received a royal pardon days after the polls. Mr. Mahathir has said he expects to step down in two years.
