Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to learn he was cleared of sodomy charges.<br/> About two thousand of his supporters gathered outside the building for the surprising verdict at the end of a two-year trial.<br/> Anwar has long been saying the trial was a government plot to stop him taking power at the next election.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Anwar Ibrahim, opposition leader, saying (English):<br/> "We must focus on the next general elections because we want a reform agenda, we want an independent judiciary with no perception of worry or concern, a free media, rid the country of endemic corruption."<br/> The judge said Anwar was being acquitted because of fears DNA samples submitted as evidence may be contaminated.<br/> Anwar's been jailed before on similar charges and later freed on appeal in 2004.<br/> His supporters say the latest twist shows there is change for the better in Malaysia.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Zainal Fakar Yacub, supporter of Ibrahim, saying (Bahasa Malaysia):<br/> "We came here to witness the process of democracy which happened today, and the outcome of the Anwar trial shows that this is the beginning of democratic progress in Malaysia."<br/> A conviction could have seen Anwar jailed for up to 20 years.<br/> His acquittal may now accelerate the political comeback of a man seen as one of Asia most celebrated reformers ahead of an election expected to happen this year.<br/> Paul Chapman, Reuters
