When Anwar Ibrahim was sent to jail in 1999 the man his supporters blamed was then-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was accused of masterminding the charges against his former deputy.

Eighteen years later, however, much has changed. Mahathir today joined a congregation in Bandar Baru Bangi who performed solat hajat (intercessory prayer) seeking divine intervention to free Anwar, who is serving another prison term.

In a tazkirah (religious lecture) after the prayer, Mahathir said that Anwar's freedom can be secured through a change in government.

"If we want to free Anwar are we going to storm the prison and open the locks to get him out? Of course not.