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The father of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim passed away in the early hours of the morning, according to PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Anwar has been allowed out of Sungai Buloh prison to attend the funeral in Kajang this afternoon.

Malaysiakini brings you the live updates as they take place.


3.20pm: After the final rites and paying respects to his late father, prison guards escort Anwar back to the four wheel drive.

There is some pushing and shoving as supporters try to get closer as Anwar is escorted away.

They shout "reformasi", "takbir" and "lawan tetap lawan" (keep up the fight).

Anwar waves at his supporters before he is taken away back to Sungai Buloh prison.

2.43pm: At the burial site it begins to drizzle. The family is at the grave site and the body has been lowered into it.

Anwar takes his place in front of the grave while the other family members take turns to place earth into the grave.

About 400 mourners are present, and the police keep a close eye.

2.10PM: Armed prison guards escorts Anwar back to the prison convoy.

They will depart together with the van carrying the body of Anwar's father to the burial site.

There is a lot of pushing as Anwar emerges from the house through the crowd while prison guards rush to surround him.

As Anwar boards the black prison four wheel drive, the crowd shouts, " Takbir !".

1.50PM: After the solat zohor, Anwar observed the funeral prayers for the second time, before his father is taken to the cemetery.

1.30PM: The guests performed the solat zohor led by imam Badrul Amin Bahron.

Anwar, wearing a black songkok, takes the front row beside his late father.

Malaysiakini is informed by Anwar’s family the body will be taken to the cemetery soon.

1.07pm: The solat jenazah has commenced and will be held twice to allow wellwishers a chance to be present.

 

Leading the first set of prayers is former Abim president Razali Nawawi, while independent preacher Abdullah Yassin will lead the second one.

 

Anwar himself will lead the zohor prayers afterwards.

 

Ibrahim's body will then be taken to the Sungai Ramal Muslim burial grounds.

 

It remains unclear is Anwar will be allowed to follow the convoy to the burial site.

12.40pm: PAS leaders Mohamad Sabu and Husam Musa arrive to pay their last respects.

 

Although many visitors take the opportunity to meet with Anwar, the prison guards keep him tight under watch.

12.35pm: PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli thanks the prisons department and home minister for granting Anwar temporary freedom.

"Anwar is unfortunate to see both his parents die while in prison.

"When his mother passed away while he was in prison before, he was also allowed out to pay his last respects.

"So this is a right move and we thank the prisons department and Home Ministry," he tells journalists after paying his last respects.

12.24pm: Heads turn as Umno Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil arrives with her husband Mohamad Salleh Ismail for a whirlwind visit.

She greets Wan Azizah, and stays for roughly two minutes before leaving.

Shortly after, PKR deputy president and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali also arrives.

He enters the house and offers his prayers for the deceased.

11:50am: Around 60 visitors are inside the house reciting prayers for the deceased. The remains will be brought to Sungai Ramal cemetery after zohor prayers at roughly 1pm.

 

After the reading of doa, Anwar who is dressed in a white baju melayu hugs his children.

 

The opposition leader has lost weight since his time in prison, over a month now. He appears calm.

 

Wan Azizah is with them, and is constantly in tears.

11.45AM: Former Penang chief minister Koh Tsu Koon arrives to pay his last respects, and says it is for "old times’ sake".

"I have known him (Ibrahim) since I was in university because he was an MP.

"I knew him even before I knew Anwar. It has been 40 years," he says.

 

The late Ibrahim was an Umno parliamentarian for Seberang Perai Central between 1959 to 1969.

11.13am: Also present to pay his last respects is AirAsia group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes.

However, he declines to comment about the passing of Anwar's father as he makes his way out.

Meanwhile, Former Selangor Menteri Besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib arrives to pay his last respects.

Muhammad was an Umno strongman but also a close associate of Anwar.

Several PKR leaders are also present including Johari Abdul, N Surendran and Latheefa Koya.

10.49AM: Mahathir ( right, in black ) has left before Anwar's arrival, but his wife Siti Hasmah stays back.

 

She describes Anwar's father as a nice man.

"We have known Pak Ibrahim for a long time, since even before Azizah (married Anwar), she tells Malaysiakini .

10.46AM: A distraught-looking Anwar Ibrahim arrives at his father's residence in Kajang.

He is flanked by around a dozen prison guards, some armed with semi-automatic weapons.

Anwar makes his way into the house as some mourners shake his hand while others hug him.

Two armed prison guards stand outside the house while others escorts Anwar in.

Earlier former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived to pay his last respects.

9.02AM: Wan Azizah when contacted by Malaysiakini confirmed that Anwar will be allowed to attend his father's funeral in Kajang today.

 

"The home minister has given permission, but we are not sure what time he would be allowed to come out," she said.

 

"The lawyers are working out the details," she added.

 

Wan Azizah said she is cutting short her trip in Penang and on the way home to Kajang now to make preparations for the funeral.

She said she was told about her father-in-law Ibrahim Abdul Rahman’s passing at about 2am this morning, after he died at about 1.45am at Serdang Hospital.

 

Ibrahim’s remains will be brought home to Country Heights, Kajang today to be buried at the Sg Ramal cemetery this evening at zohor.

According to latest updates from Anwar's circle, he is due to arrive before noon.

 

Anwar is serving his five-year prison term after the Federal Court ruled in favour of the earlier government appeal against his initial acquittal over the Sodomy II case.

His family had applied for pardon with the Agong and is awaiting his final decision on the petition.

However the Permatang Pauh was declared vacant last Wednesday after the High Court was told the the royal pardon application was dismissed, although Anwar's lawyers are disputing this.

Reporting by Susan Loone, Nigel Aw and Anne Muhammad.


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