Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was granted permission by prison authorities to attend the funeral of his father who died early Sunday.
Anwar arrived at the home of his father Datuk Ibrahim Abd Rahman, 96, in Country Heights, Kajang on Sunday morning, the Malaysian Insider reported.
His father, a former Umno MP, is expected to be buried at the Sungai Ramal cemetery in the afternoon, said the report, adding that among those who arrived to pay their last respects was former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Writing on Facebook, Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail recalled the death of Anwar's mother when he was imprisoned the first time.
"The first time DSAI (Anwar) was jailed, he was tested with the death of his mother and that of Ustaz Fadhil Noor (former PAS President)," wrote Dr Wan Azizah, who is president of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
"This time he is tested with the death of TGNA (PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat) and now, his father."
Anwar's father was MP for Seberang Perai Central from 1959 to 1969, and was also a parliamentary secretary, the news portal reported.
Anwar is serving a five-year sentence at the Sungai Buloh Prison for sodomy after he was found guilty of having carnal intercourse with his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
On Wednesday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said Anwar was officially disqualified as Permatang Pauh MP as his petition for a royal pardon by his family on Feb 24 had been rejected.
