Malaysia’s newly elected Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad today said, the country’s King has indicated that he is willing to grant a full pardon to jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim immediately.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, he said King Sultan Muhammad fifth, in a meeting with opposition leaders, had indicated that he is willing to grant Anwar a royal pardon immediately.

Mahathir said it is going to be a full pardon, which means he is released immediately and after that, he will be free to participate fully in politics.

Before the election, Mahathir had said he would step down and give the prime minister’s post to Anwar when he is pardoned. Anwar was one of Malaysia's most charismatic politicians until Mahathir sacked him in 1998 and was subsequently jailed for sodomy and abuse of power.