The doubting Thomases thought his incarceration sealed the demise of Anwar Ibrahim's politics of reform but the unexpected turn of events in the country makes it highly possible for an Anwar resurgence and prove the sceptics wrong. And yes, Dr Mahathir Mohamad needs to say, "I'm sorry, I was wrong."

Anwar's filial daughter Nurul Nuha, who is leading the 'Free Anwar' effort, wants Mahathir to “make a public apology” and admit his “past transgressions against his father”. This is yet another of ‘Mahathir's dilemmas’. But Nurul Nuha is right.

If Mahathir apologises it would certainly clean his 'slate of sins' against Anwar. If not, what business has he in making overtures to Anwar in the hope of working with the one he cruelly condemned as “morally unfit” to govern?