The judgment wasn’t a complete surprise. De facto Opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, losing his final appeal to set aside his sodomy conviction means Prime Minister Najib Razak has sidelined his biggest political opponent.
Anwar also lost his parliamentary seat and is barred from running for office for five years after being discharged.
He may be released from prison, after serving one third of his five-year jail term for good behaviour, in the year 2020.
But Malaysia’s next general election must be called by 2018.
Najib has been plagued by allegations of massive corruption linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal and calls for resignation even from within his party, UMNO.
While the PM has turned around the backlash and consolidated his position, Anwar will remain a thorn to his political longevity, if his sodomy conviction is overturned Wednesday.
It’s anyone’s guess that the sodomy charges twice over and charges of misuse of power against Anwar were crafted to prematurely end his political career.
And his continued incarceration may pave the way for others to remain in power.
But to the outside world Anwar is a prisoner of conscience. And while he may not have walked free, Anwar will remain a force to be reckoned with at the next polls.
My thoughts remain with Anwar and his family during this challenging time.