KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V has granted a full royal pardon to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, making the de facto PKR leader a free man.

The decision by the Pardons Board was conveyed in a statement issued by the royal palace just before noon today.

"In line with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution and with the advice of the Pardons Board of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V has decreed for a full pardon to Datuk Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim and that he be released immediately,” the statement read.

It is understood that Anwar has met with the King inside the palace. The media were not allowed in.

Anwar was released from the Cheras Rehabilitation Centre here about 11.20am today but did not address the media waiting outside.

He merely smiled and waved at journalists and the crowd of supporters who had gathered outside the medical centre since early this morning to wait for his release.