The unexpected release from jail today of charismatic former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim threw a new twist into Malaysian politics, already in the grip of change after the retirement of veteran prime minister Mahathir Mohamad last year.

Anwar immediately pledged to carry on his battle for political reforms after winning a final appeal in the country's top court against his conviction for sodomy.

Speaking to reporters after the Federal Court upheld his appeal against a conviction and nine-year sentence for sodomy, Anwar said: "I'm committed to the struggle with the opposition parties that are committed to reform. I'm starting it right away."

The ruling came six years to the day after he was sacked by Mahathir. He was arrested weeks later.

Anwar brushed aside rumours that a secret deal with new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi resulted in the court decision.

He said that while he could not preclude running for office in the next elections he first needed to consult party leaders.

"There was no deal done in the judgment today, absolutely no deal," he said.

A threat to Pak Lah?

Under Malaysian law, Anwar is banned from political activity for five years after the end of his sentence. He completed a jail term for corruption in April last year, meaning he could run for office in the next elections due in.

However, the Federal Court will next Monday review its own earlier decision to reject Anwar's appeal against his corruption conviction. If the politician wins again he could make an immediate comeback to politics, analysts said.

But they said Anwar is not expected to pose any real threat to Abdullah, who has strengthened his grip on power after a resounding election victory in March.

"His release has removed a focus of criticism against the government and its policies. I don't consider a free Anwar as a threat to the current leadership," said Robert Broadfoot, managing director of the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy

"I don't see Anwar being a banner around which an opposition to Abdullah is going to merge. Abdullah has done a really good job of winning back the grassroots Malay support that Mahathir had lost. His release, if anything, will bring back Malay detractors to the government."

Although it is unclear how Anwar will play his cards, Broadfoot said the politician would be a formidable force. But it might be tough for him to claw his way back to the highest levels of power or to be reconciled with his former party, the United Malays National Organisation (Umno).

Anwar was expelled from Umno, the linchpin of the ruling coalition, shortly after his removal from office. His wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and supporters later set up the National Justice Party (Keadilan), which was wiped out in the March polls with only Wan Azizah securing a parliamentary seat.

Weak opposition

Malaysian Strategic Research Centre executive director Abdul Razak Baginda said popular support for Anwar had faded over the years and the support now was "more out of sympathy than for him to make a comeback".

"He has been out of the political arena for six years and the situation has changed. The sympathy is there but whether that's enough to propel him back, I have my doubts," he said.

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said Anwar's release marked a "watershed for the long and agonising struggle to restore national confidence" in the judiciary and rule of law.

"Anwar will be an important player in the new political scenario and add fillip to the very weak opposition," said Lim, who heads the Democratic Action Party.

"It comes as a shaft of light to clear the darkness which has enveloped the judiciary for more than a half-decade and encourages Malaysians to stand firm for justice, democracy and freedom, however hard the struggle may be."