Malaysia: Ruling coalition leader to take party reins

By Emel Oz Gozellik

ANKARA (AA) - Anwar Ibrahim, the defacto leader of Malaysia's People's Justice Party, has filed nomination papers for presidency of the party.

Anwar, who is leader of the ruling coalition, was sentenced to five years in prison, in charges he says were politically motivated.

Anwar, 70, who was incumbent Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's former deputy, was found guilty of sodomy in February 2015.

In May, a jubilant Anwar walked out of Cheras Detention Center in Kuala Lumpur after the Malaysian king extended a royal pardon and cleared him of all allegations that initially landed him in jail.

The party’s elections committee secretary Ismail Yusof announced receiving Anwar’s nomination papers, according to the state news agency Bernama.