It is with great interest that I read Dr Wan Azizah's account of her eldest daughter's wedding. She was thankful, regretful and slightly angry all at the same time. But most of all, she is a mother and a wife in difficult times and I think her dedication to her family is worthy of applause.

I won't partake in the debate that Suresh Gnasegarah has started o­n the o­ne-trick pony that is Keadilan, nor will I argue about the merits or de-merits surrounding the hoopla that is the trial and subsequent incarceration of Anwar Ibrahim.

But I will explore the "what if" of his release.

If Anwar Ibrahim was released tomorrow, the happiest people in the country will be his family. Being without your father and husband is a living hell that most people would be thankful to never experience.

A close second would be Malaysians who believe that his release is finally justice being served. Perhaps, there will be a round of recriminations and accusations; it will be argued he should

never have had to serve any time at all, and his release a vindication of his innocence.

But such rumbling will quiet down quickly as most will be satisfied to thumb their noses at the anti-Anwaristas.

The media will have their circus. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will spin it as a merciful act by a benevolent government. Dr Mahathir Mohamad will just mumble something about "Western domination". And the US and the rest of the free world will collectively pat themselves o­n the back for a job well done: their brand of constructive engagement has o­nce again succeeded, the Mandela of East Asia is free.

Once the noise dies down however, my question would be: then what? Where to Anwar Ibrahim and Keadilan? A return to politics? This is o­nly possible if his release was precipitated by a royal pardon since convicted criminals cannot hold public office.

Even if he could return, o­ne would wonder how long he'll last the frantic pandering of opposition politics - his health problems will limit his reach, his past position in Umno will place him in a hypocritical conundrum. You do not become deputy prime minister of Malaysia without making enemies o­n the other side and pulling some dirty fast o­nes along the way (I am reminded of the list of Anwar's cronies was posted outside o­n the walls of Putra World Trade Centre during an Umno general assembly).

Perhaps Anwar Ibrahim will fade into obscurity, occasionally lending his voice from afar o­n any issue of particular pertinence to the nation. Perhaps he will look forward to being a grandfather, perhaps he will write a book or two (critically acclaimed best-sellers, of course).

But whatever happens, I think its important to be realistic about some things. Anwar Ibrahim's influence in the past, before he was sent to jail, was built o­n the foundations of the very political institution that he would seek to change if he were released.

Before, his impact was weighted by the impressive might of BN's political machinations. Such

resources will no longer be available to him. And even if they were, o­ne would argue how far a frail and broken body will take him.

Given the limited impact his release would bring, o­ne wonders why there is reason to hold him any longer. Its not uncommon for well-behaved convicts to be released after half their term has been served.

Let him go, enough is enough.