Anwar Ibrahim returns to public life

1947: Anwar Ibrahim born in village near Penang state

1970s: Rises to prominence as radical pro-Islam student leader

1982: Joins Malaysia’s dominant party, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)

1993: Appointed deputy prime minister under long-term premier Mahathir Mohamad

1998: Anwar sacked following tensions with Mahathir over economy and corruption issues. Anwar leads public protests calling for reform

1999: Jailed for abuse of power, sparking huge street protests
  
2000: Found guilty of sodomy with his wife’s driver

2004: Freed after Supreme Court overturns sodomy conviction

2008, Mar: Anwar-led opposition coalition makes unprecedented gains in general election

2008, Aug: Faces new charges of sodomy

2012: Acquitted by High Court

2013: Leads opposition to strongest ever election result

2014: Court overturns 2012 acquittal after government appeal

2015: Anwar jailed for five years

2016: Mahathir defects to opposition – unites with Anwar behind push to oust embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak

2018: Mahathir, 92, becomes prime minister after shock election victory
May 15: Anwar, 70, freed after royal pardon, paving way for return to politics
 


 Sources: BBC, AFP, AP, Reuters Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images   © GRAPHIC NEWS