Six years ago, when Anwar Ibrahim was first sacked as deputy prime minister followed by his high-drama arrest under the Internal Security Act, I was on my way to England to pursue my undergraduate degree. Two weeks ago, when he was released by a High Court decision, I had just arrived in New York City to pursue my post-graduate degree.

In the intervening six years, much had happened and so many changes had occurred in my life. But the world must have seemed to stand still for Anwar. Once the brightest rising star in Malaysian politics, his political career was cruelly cut short by one man, his nemesis, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Now, that man has left the seat of power. But the Anwar episode had a lasting impact on the Malaysian political landscape. Calls for reform and demands for freedom and democratic space, symbolised by the reformasi movement, became louder and more organised. It was in tune with the changes which were sweeping Southeast Asia, although swift and often brutal action by the police and the government ensured that all opposition was muted.

The six years while Anwar was in jail had served as my political education it was the first time I had heard of the concepts of human rights, press freedom, civil liberties, rule of law and such being discussed by Malaysians everywhere. For the first time, there were avenues open for Malaysian youth to participate in political activities. Students were exposed to activism and issue campaigning. Websites, which unlike print publications, did not need permits from the Home Ministry, flourished fertile grounds for fresh ideas and discussions.

Undoubtedly, the passion for reformasi had slowed somewhat, particularly with the arrest of six of its most vocal and popular leaders Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Tian Chua, Saari Sungib, Hishamuddin Rais, Dr Badrol Amin Bahron and Lokman Noor Adam in 2001. But it never died. Clearly, the overjoyed response by the Malaysian public at the news of Anwar's release signals the re-awakening of the reformasi senses.

Anwar's future role

The most pertinent question on everyone's mind now will be about Anwar's role in the shaping of the future of the reformasi movement. The movement he had founded, and of which he was such a potent symbol while he in prison, now looks desperately to him to be its leader as a free man.

The irony is that for many of the so-called 'die-hard' reformasi supporters, Anwar remains a mystery. His appeal as a politician had been so strong and so widespread, and he has influenced many young activists in Malaysia who hardly even met him. These young people had to go through all sorts of punishment and discrimination because they supported him. Hundreds were arrested at pro-Anwar demonstrations, charged in court for writing pro-Anwar articles, lost their jobs because of their affiliations with his cause, and worse.

I am one of those who had never personally met Anwar. Yet, the principles of his struggle had a strong impact on my life. Even though I do not know him personally, I have spoken and fought for his cause at various events as a student both in Malaysia and overseas. The mere mention of his name had elicited a sense of respect from many.

Recently, though, the talk in Malaysia and around the world has been that Anwar will seek to return to political office and that Umno is his only option to regain the position that was taken away from him by Mahathir. Umno, clearly, is the biggest gainer from Anwar's release, and the new prime minister has improved his international image tremendously, with some newspapers here even calling him a 'reformer'.

The Umno factor

Many so-called 'reformists' are now anxious to know if Anwar will indeed return to Umno, or if, as it had always been assumed, he will lead the opposition against the ruling power that had dealt him the suffering he and his family had to go through. Anwar, behind bars, had been the opposition coalition's symbolic leader and through his wife, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had been the adviser of the party. The merger between Keadilan and PRM had been Anwar's idea.

Yet, whatever Anwar chooses to do now, the reformasi movement needs to know that his release was in no small way attributed to the passion and determination of those who went on the streets to demonstrate, those who signed petitions, those who wrote articles and letters, those who voted for the opposition those who dared speak up or silently protested, those who kept the spirit of reforms alive.

Whether there had been a deal between Anwar and his jailers for his release, or not the point is that Anwar's release would never have been a constant issue for the government had it not been for the thousands who registered their dissent and showed the ruling power that its conduct was unacceptable.

This is a victory of sorts for the reformasi movement but it must not be the ultimate victory. Six years of struggle and some people really had to go through all sorts of trial and tribulations has to eventually result in something more than just the release of Anwar, no matter how important that is.

Don't fool yourselves

Six years of struggle cannot result in Umno gaining a better reputation and more support from the people, and regaining the support from those who had been disillusioned with the party after Anwar's arrest.

The fact of the matter is that Anwar should never have been jailed and this fact should never be forgotten. If anyone is trying to fool himself or herself into thinking that Malaysia is all better now because its most famous dissident has been released, always remember that he should never have been in jail in the first place.

I never make it a secret that I reserve some admiration for Anwar. My interest in politics and political reforms and issues of public concern have been based a lot on his call for change and democratic reforms. I greeted the news of his release with much joy and relief. But I realise now that 'reformasi' is a bigger struggle than merely securing the release of its symbolic leader.

The struggle now should be to ensure that such an incident of abuse of power and miscarriage of justice should never be repeated if we really want to claim this as a victory for reforms.

The only way to do this is to realise that the struggle must go on with or without Anwar and if it ever need be, against Anwar.

Never forget that reformasi is all about the struggle for justice for every Malaysian.

KARIENA ABDULLAH writes frequently for reformasi publications, and is currently based in New York.