Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim went home today a free man and thanked his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, for her extraordinary resilience in the last six years. He said his immediate plan was to seek treatment in Germany for his chronic back ailment.

Speaking to reporters as a free man for the first time since he was charged and denied bail in October 1998, Anwar said that he was grateful to be released and felt vindicated by the court ruling today.

Earlier today, the Federal Court quashed his sodomy conviction and sentencing by a 2 to 1 majority on the grounds that the High Court had misdirected itself in finding Anwar guilty.

"This is a good start and it gives hope for a more credible justice system. I am also grateful to the two judges that had the strength and resolve to rule in my favour," he said.

He arrived at his house in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, at 2.55pm in a gold coloured Mercedes Benz, escorted by two police outriders. A crowd of 300 supporters was there to greet him.

Anwar, who had difficulty in walking, was carried by two persons into his house.

People had started gathering at his house since early afternoon after hearing about his release. Scores of media representatives were also there, waiting to hear from Anwar.

After he was released this morning, Anwar was driven from the Federal Court complex in Putrajaya to his father's home in Kajang before continuing his journey home.

Leaving for treatment

Talking about his back pain, 56-year-old Anwar said that he hoped to fly to Munich tomorrow to be treated by his preferred orthopedic surgeon, Dr Thomas Hoogland.

"I need to seek treatment and hopefully I can leave tomorrow if I can make the necessary arrangements on time," he added.

He said that he took a risk in attending the hearing this morning although he was in excruciating pain and was declared medically unfit to attend the hearing by the Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

He had earlier signed an indemnity letter absolving the hospital in the event his condition deteriorates as a result of attending the hearing.

Anwar also singled out Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for praise, crediting him for allowing the judiciary to act in accordance with the law.

"I hope the prime minister will defend the freedom of the judiciary because there are my friends who have also been convicted on political motives and evil intentions."

To plan political future

He urged Abdullah to release all Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees and to charge them in an open court.

Anwar had always maintained that the charges drawn up against him were a result of political conspiracy, aided by the judiciary under the control of the former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

And to his friends and supporters, Anwar had this to say: "Wait till I return from my treatment and we shall plan for the future".

"Once I return (from Germany), I will meet all opposition leaders, members of non-governmental organisations and reformasi supporters to plan the future.

"I will also meet with Keadilan leaders to discuss the party's next move," he said.