“We are waiting for an update from Rafizi Ramli, but for now we have no news. We believe the paperwork will take time to process.

“Insya-Allah (he will be freed). We are still hoping for the best, but I cannot confirm anything,” the Permatang Pauh MP said when met outside the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital, today.

Reports that Anwar was to be released today were also found to be untrue, according to sources in PKR.

Earlier today, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was ready to give Anwar Ibrahim a full royal pardon immediately, and that this would enable his former deputy prime minister the chance to reenter the political scene.

According to the Pakatan Harapan chairman, the King had relayed this message to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at the Istana Negara last night.

“We will do everything we can to get Anwar’s pardon, and not just his pardon, but his immediate release,” Mahathir said at a press conference where he also said that PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would be named the deputy prime minister, and that the ministers for 10 core ministries would be announced tomorrow.