Former First Lady meets with Malaysia's ex-deputy PM Anwar

Former First Lady Laila Ali has met with Malaysia's former Deputy Prime Minister, and current Deputy PM Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's husband, Anwar Ibrahim.

The meeting took place at an event at the Doughty Street Chambers in London, UK. Laila and her children currently reside in the United Kingdom, where her husband, former President Mohamed Nasheed was granted political asylum in 2016.

RaajjeMV understands that Laila and Anwar discussed the current political situation in the Maldives, as well as the similarities in the political sphere in both countries.

At the event in Doughty Street Chambers, Anwar Ibrahim had spoken on the various difficulties and hardships he has faced in the Malaysian political arena, as well as the future of rule of law in the country. He also assured that he will continue his mission for reform in his country.

Anwar, who served as the deputy PM and finance minister from 1993 t0 1998, was removed from office by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed. He was jailed later, in 1999. While he was released in 2004, he was sentenced to prison again. During his time in prison, Anwar worked with former PM Mahathir, to oust Najib Razak's government.

Earlier this year, then PM Najib called for early elections, which was won by Mahathir and team, with the coalition taking 121 of the 222 seats in parliament.

Mahathir was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 10, and not long after Anwar Ibrahim was released after receiving a royal pardon from the Malaysian King.

After the historic win that ended Barisan Nasional’s 61-year rule, Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail- who represented him and worked with Mahathir- became Malaysia's first female deputy PM.

Their daughter, Nurul Izzah had said that her father was "taking a leaf from the pages of former President Nasheed".