Seven years after he last visited the Datuk Keramat market in Kuala Lumpur, former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim found the reception as warm as ever from traders.

A casually dressed Anwar arrived at the market about 5.15pm for a brief Hari Raya shopping stint yesterday.

A tailor and shoe seller were among those who served him with obvious pride, the latter even refusing payment for a pair of shoes that Anwar bought.

Many of the traders welcomed Anwar during a walkabout with his entourage yesterday evening, although one pulled down the shutters of his shop when they approached the premises.

There were shouts of 'reformasi' and Allahukabar (God is Great), while his supporters took lots of photographs.

At the wet market section, a trader insisted on him accepting a whole chicken, while others at the Ramadan bazaar offered a variety of foodstuff, fruits and flowers.

'More facilities required'

Anwar's aide, Azmin Ali, said the market has special significance for Anwar because he had approved its expansion 10 years ago, while in office.

"Dato Keramat is also seen as an area with many reformasi supporters," Azmin said.

Anwar left the market an hour later and walked to a nearby mosque, where his driver was waiting for him.

Before he left, he told a crowd of about 50 people that he had visited the place in 1997, but that the facilities had not been improved.

"I really hope that more facilities will be built for the people here," he said, before posing for a few group photos and obliging those who asked for his autograph.

He returned last Sunday from Jeddah after performing the umrah. Prior to that, he was in Germany for surgery to correct a slipped disc.

Anwar was freed from sodomy charges on Sept 2 when the Federal Court overturned the conviction and nine-year jail sentence. He completed a six-year term for corrupt practice in April, but was held at the Sungai Buloh prison pending disposal of the sodomy conviction.