Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, whom PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was today convicted of having sodomised in 2008, has expressed his gratitude to God over the verdict.

"It is true what Allah promised, that the truth will overcome the false.

"After praying, remaining consistent and patient for six years, I am grateful to God over the verdict which favours me," he said, thanking all who stood by him in a blog post late today.

 
Meanwhile, netizens on Twitter have largely reacted with shock to news that the opposition leader has been found guilty of sodomising Saiful, who is his former aide.

Among them is the former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan, who urged Anwar to be strong following the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn Anwar’s 2012 HighCourt acquittal for the Sodomy II trial.

“Given the submissions I read, this is an absolutely shocking decision!” she tweeted.

Below are a compilation of other reactions on social media as they come in:

Prime Minister’s Office (Via statement)

Malaysia has an independent judiciary and the judges will have reached their verdict only after considering all the evidence in a balanced and objective manner. Anwar Ibrahim and his legal team have the right to appeal today’s decision to the Federal Court.

This is a case between two individuals and is a matter for the courts, not the government. Therefore, to respect the legal process and the rights of those involved, it would be inappropriate for the government to comment further.

Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan (@ahmadmaslan)

3-0. (In reference to the judge’s unanimous decision)

Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S Arulchelvan (@partisosialis)

PSM condemns the sentencing of Anwar. Totally unacceptable. We will stand with Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat and oust the regime.

 

We may now reconsider campaigning for Pakatan in the coming (Kajang) by-election. We need to put a referendum against this blatant injustice on Anwar.

PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang (via Harakah Daily Facebook )

 

Such principle of justice (where it is done with free, fair, prudence, and is seen as such) is not seen in Anwar’s case.

 

By itself, this will erode the people’s confidence in our country’s justice system.

 

PAS shares this disappointment with Anwar’s family, especially his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the PKR president, in facing this formidable challenge.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud)

I hope Wan Azizah and her family members remain strong in the face of this trying time.

I understand if they feel disappointed. Indeed no wife likes to see her husband or the father to her children found guilty by any court.

But as hard as it may be, since the judges have made a decision, the court's verdict has to be respected.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang (@limkitsiang)

 

Having jailed Anwar for five years, is (Bukit Gelugor MP) Karpal Singh the next target when his sentencing for sedition comes up at KL High Court on Tuesday, March 11?

 

Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari (@zairilkj)

As a 16-year old student, I saw my deputy prime minister (Anwar) sacked, jailed and beaten on trumped-up charges. Sixteen years on, as an MP, I see the story repeating.

 

Sharaad Kuttan (@SharaadKuttan)

Anwar Ibrahim's conviction: Any bets on the sentence? Don't get me wrong. It’s not about Anwar. I am betting on the mind of a regime that has taken us back 16 years.

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (@Khalid_Ibrahim)

I wish to express my regret over the Court of Appeal decision – Another dark episode in the county’s judiciary.

Human Rights Watch Asia Division deputy director Phil Robertson (@Reaproy)

 

Anwar seems caught in never-ending nightmare of his political adversaries' making, with Malaysian courts serving as his political executioner.

Human rights lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri (@Fadiah Nadwa)

 

(Anwar’s prosecutor) Shafee Abdullah, you are a disgrace to the legal profession!

 

PAS vice president Husam Musa (@hajihusammusa)

 

There are no unlucky days for us, only days where we keep on fighting. We fight on ( Lawan tetap lawan)!

PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli)

The worst feeling is that I am not shocked and was prepared mentally for this round of injustice. #PrayforAnwar.

Klang MP Charles Santiago (@mpklang)

 

Anwar’s Court of Appeal decision reminds us that nothing fundamentally has changed, especially judicial independence. (It) will ignite the movement for reform.

 

Pete Teo (@PeteTeo)

 

No matter what you feel about Anwar, if you think using judicial power as an instrument of political tactics is okay, then I feel sorry for you.

King Men (@LouiseLaFrouse)

I think this is the first time the court (is) being so efficient, delivering judgement at this time? As the saying goes, “Justice rushed is justice crushed!”

Lawyers for Liberty (@lawyers4liberty)

This is absolute injustice! Anwar's conviction is scandalous and cannot be defended anyway whatsoever. Shame on Umno (and Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak’s government!

PKR vice-president Tian Chua (@tianchua)

Najib has declared war against Pakatan Rakyat; the people are ready for an all out uprising!

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang (@tankengliang)

 

Justice must be for all Malaysians. Let us respect the decision of the court. The need to contest in Kajang and be menteri besar of Selangor is not a mitigating factor.

 

The judges decided based on the evidence in court. Decision was unanimous that Anwar sodomised Saiful. Now awaiting sentencing and mitigation.

 

The sodomy charge was made by Anwar's own trusted personal assistant, not by someone unknown.

 

There is still an avenue for Anwar to appeal to Federal Court... if he thinks he's innocent.

 

Pakatan people are trying to confuse others as if sodomy is like rape. That is untrue. " Suka sama suka " (mutual consent) is no defence to sodomy.

PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (@shamsuliskandar)

Prime Minister Najib (Abdul Razak) is a tyrant. Free Anwar.

TV personality Asha Gill (@_AshaGill)

Don't give a rats arse if Anwar is blue or rainbow. I care about a valid democracy that will benefit the people. If he's feared, he matters.

 

Adrian Chew (@ReadingMonk)

All this rushing to sentence and lock Anwar Ibrahim up. They don't even treat convicted murderers this way.

 

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh (@fuziah99)

Calm down everyone. The leadership will announce their next steps later.

 

DAP political education chief Liew Chin Tong (@LiewChinTong)

Anwar Ibrahim is still the most dangerous man to be destroyed by all means.

Selangor state exco member Elizabeth Wong (@elizabethwong)

 

Why the sham? Because Anwar has been able to galvanise the opposition and the people to believe and (to) fight for a better tomorrow.

 

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (@cmlimguaneng)

 

It is times like these that themes in the (book and movie) Hunger Games that resonates, such as the season of the reaping where change is ripe and needed.

PoliTweet.org (@politweetorg)

 

We are seeing 10 to 12 times the normal amount of hourly tweets on Malaysian politics since (the) Anwar verdict.