For six years, though his body was incarcerated, his spirit remained free. His physical being was behind the bars of Sungai Buloh prison, but his shadow continued to haunt Dr Mahathir Mohamad. That was the charisma of Anwar Ibrahim.

Now he is free, after the Malaysian judicial system showed its courage. However, many questions surround the 2-1 decision reached by the Federal Court. A large portion of the public still cannot believe or accept the unexpected decision.

All this time, many felt that Anwar would remain in jail. There had been no sign that the former deputy prime minister would be freed, because the judicial system of the nation has long been emasculated.

However, on Sept 2, exactly six years from the day Anwar was removed from his posts in the government and Umno, he was suddenly given back his freedom.