Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was released Thursday morning, a day after he was arrested on sodomy allegations.

"He was arrested yesterday as he was a suspect, and his arrest was made in accordance with the law," Deputy Police Chief Ismail Omar said.

Ismail said Anwar was "treated fairly" during the time he was detained at the Kuala Lumpur police station for questioning on charges that he had sodomized a male former aide.

"Police followed every procedure (in his arrest)," Ismail was quoted as saying by the Star daily.

Anwar left the police station accompanied by his family and aides.

A spokesman from his opposition National Justice Party said the former deputy prime minister would be heading home, where he is due later in the day to give a press conference. (dpa)