Malaysia's surprising acquittal Monday of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges suggests a nascent maturation in the country's judiciary and political environment, analysts said, positioning a resurgent opposition to take on the powerful ruling coalition in upcoming elections.

The allegations against Anwar, 64, a former deputy prime minister, surfaced shortly after 2008 national elections saw the opposition make sizable gains against the ruling United Malays National Organization party. This was the second sodomy trial against Anwar, who was beaten and jailed for six years beginning in 1998 in another case also criticized as politically motivated.