On Sept 2, 2004 many things happened as a result of the release of Anwar Ibrahim. There was a very subtle sigh of relief from many in the government and public sectors. Many foreign leaders and heads of government sent their greetings to Anwar and welcomed his long-awaited acquittal.
In Malaysia, there was healing as the one man persecuted for his stand was finally vindicated. And instead of lashing out at his perpetrators, Anwar chose to forgive and move on.
The stock market rallied a few points on that day itself. Ministers and heads of government from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA, to Turkey, Egypt and even the United Nations congratulated Anwar on his acquittal and were happy for his release.
Thousands in Malaysia streamed steadily in and out of his home during the two days before he left for Germany for his badly-needed spinal surgery. Between 5,000 and 8,000 sent him off at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
And Barisan Nasional leaders are still in a total state of denial. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's comment was that Anwar's acquittal was a normal judicial process and that the judiciary has always been independent.
Foreign Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that Malaysia's relationship with US has always been good and was not influenced by the affairs of one man. The BN cabinet and Umno leaders refuse to see Anwar's continued influence internationally and locally despite all the indications.
They still insist he is irrelevant, perhaps this to their own detriment. Anwar is stronger and perhaps has more supporters today then before he was incarcerated. He has awoken a segment of the Malaysian population that was politically apathetic before but now look upon him as an icon or a hero who stood up for what he believed in and suffered as a result.
Whether Umno likes it or not, in fighting against injustice, Anwar has been thrust together with the likes of Jose Rizal, Nelson Mandela and Aung Sang Suu Kyi (but not to the level of Mahatma Gandhi just yet).
Whatever Anwar does after this and however BN leaders look upon the entire episode, I am just glad that Malaysia has finally closed a chapter of open hostility left opened by the previous administration. A period of contention and enmity in Malaysian history is finally coming to an end.