Last week’s release of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim brought to a close one of the darkest chapters in Malaysia’s political history. Coming exactly six years after he was purged from government, the three-man Federal Court bench ruled 2-1 that his incarceration for sodomy was unjustified.

News of Anwar’s release spread like wildfire, quickly becoming the talk of the town. Malaysiakini’s website was jammed with thousands of hits per minute, as people rushed to the Internet to confirm the unexpected decision.

For those who have waited for his release and his eventual return to politics, they will have to wait a little longer. Anwar is going to Germany for medical treatment for his spinal condition as soon as travel arrangements are made. His time away will allow him to adjust to the changes over the last six years.