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Anwar’s family given 45 minutes with him

KUALA LUMPUR — Separated by a glass wall, Anwar Ibrahim’s family had 45 minutes with him today when they visited Anwar for the first time since he began his prison sentence on Tuesday (Feb 10).

Anwar Ibrahim (centre) arriving at the Federal Court with his family and supporters yesterday. His conviction almost certainly eliminates any hope he has of becoming prime minister. Photo: The Malaysian Insider

Anwar Ibrahim (centre) arriving at the Federal Court with his family and supporters yesterday. His conviction almost certainly eliminates any hope he has of becoming prime minister. Photo: The Malaysian Insider

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KUALA LUMPUR — Separated by a glass wall, Anwar Ibrahim’s family had 45 minutes with him today when they visited Anwar for the first time since he began his prison sentence on Tuesday (Feb 10).

“We are relieved to see him, but I cannot stress how it pains (us) to find ourselves back in the same glass meeting room of 1999 to 2004,” said his eldest daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“It is...déjà vu. One that we would not want to wish on anyone,” she told Malay Mail Online after they left the Sungai Buloh prison.

All six of Anwar’s children, his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and his grandchildren went to see him.

When asked about his physical and mental condition, Ms Nurul Izzah said her father appeared to be in “high spirits” but had already begun losing weight as he has been fasting — something he also did during his imprisonment for his first sodomy case.

The PKR vice-president added that even behind bars, her father “remains committed to the struggle” of Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The Federal Court upheld on Tuesday the Court of Appeal’s five-year jail sentence and sodomy conviction against Anwar, and maintained the five-year sentence it meted to him last year.

Anwar’s conviction has invited questions over Malaysia’s judicial independence, with the United States and Australia leading the criticism of the decision to imprison him for a charge that he vehemently insists is a political ploy to end his career.

The court decision also leaves the Pakatan Rakyat federal opposition pact without a leader. MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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