Home Minister Imran Abdulla has met with Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's former deputy prime minister, on Monday.

The home minister is currently on an unofficial visit to the Southeast Asian country.

According to Imran's Adhaalath Party, the meeting was held in Anwar's home. Former Maldives ambassador to Malaysia, Mohamed Zaki attended the meeting as well.

At the meeting, both parties held discussions on 'Islam and the challenges of democracy.'

Anwar is currently the president of the People's Justice Party, and had invited Adhaalath Party to send a representative to its national congress.

Imran and Anwar also discussed on ways for both parties 'to work together.'

In addition, Anwar expressed interest to remain 'close' with Adhaalath Party. He noted that it was a 'great pleasure' to meet with Imran, adding that he wishes more successes for the reform work started by Imran and other ruling coalition leaders.

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 in 2015. During this time in prison, Anwar worked with former PM Mahathir, to oust then-PM Najib Razak's government.

Mahathir was sworn in as prime minister in May 2018, after taking 121 of the 222 seats in parliament, and not long after Anwar Ibrahim was released after receiving a royal pardon from the Malaysian King.