Anwar Ibrahim is back in Malaysia, and it was reported in malaysiakini that he wants to "seek a meeting with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to thank him for his release ".

Why does Anwar want to thank Abdullah? The new prime minister was not the one who released him - it was the Federal Court that released him.

It is shocking for Anwar to even suggest that the premier influenced and/or directed the judiciary to release him. That suggestion is most insulting to our independent judiciary.

Hence, that comment by Anwar is most disturbing, especially since he was the former deputy prime minister. It's bad enough that people are questioning the independence of the judiciary, and believe that the PM and/or the government control the courts and judges.

Anwar's remark makes it all the more important for political personalities, parties, civil society groups and the government to always promote the independence of the judiciary, and do all that is necessary to ensure that our judiciary is not only independent but also seen to be independent.