The minute Anwar Ibrahim was freed, we have been bombarded with incessant talk of how our judiciary has finally taken a stand, of how Anwar has been telling us the truth all along, and even talk categorising his freedom as a step towards nation healing!

Anwar fans, as I prefer to call them, would always say that his case was exceptional in that he was the nation's Number 2 man at one time. If something like this could happen to someone of such influence and standing as him, then what about lay people like us?

Well, the answer to that would be that Anwar is no different from any one of us. We will all have to answer for our actions. As Dr S Vijayaratnam has aptly stated.

So how is it that undergoing a normal criminal trial is seen as a tremendous injustice towards Anwar Ibrahim is beyond me. Do some believe that there was no need for him to be removed from his former position and that he could have continued to be one of the 'powers-that-be' even while being accused of corrupt practice and sodomy?

He was charged and convicted by a court that heard all evidence presented before it. So he didn't like the verdict? Ever heard of anyone who has been found guilty in a criminal trial and liked it? That is why we have an appeal system.

And the government didn't stop him from appealing. Our former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad didn't stop Anwar from expressing his dissatisfaction with the decision. How many accused or convicted persons can tell you that they had the freedom to express their views and opinions on the government while in prison?

But of course, Anwar Ibrahim says he was a victim of high-level conspiracy, injustice, double standards and manipulation. And now, he has been rewarded for his patience. That's how it works. Some appeals are allowed and some are dismissed.

And as for Anwar being beaten and assaulted at Bukit Aman while being handcuffed and blindfolded, we must pride ourselves for having followed the democratic system. Despite the assailant being the former inspector-general of police, a royal commission was formed to inquire into the assault and on March 15, 2000, Abdul Rahim Noor was sentenced to two months' jail and fined RM 2,000 for the deed.

As for all the other hoo-ha, they are all water under the bridge now. Except for the offer a private jet by Saudi Arabia to fly him to Munich. Makes you wonder what 'favours' required a return of such a kind act.