May-June 1998: Tension mounts between Anwar and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as the deputy prime minister repeatedly calls for political reform.
June 18-21: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, youth leader of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and Anwar's ally, provokes Mr Mahathir by attacking cronyism at the party's annual meeting.
July-August: Two influential newspaper editors and a top private television station chief, seen as close to Anwar, quit.
August 27th: GDP figures confirm Malaysia is in its first recession for 13 years.
Sept 2: Mahathir sacks Anwar as deputy prime minister and finance minister.
Sept 3: Police submit affidavits containing allegations of sexual misconduct and other possible crimes committed by Anwar.
Sept 4: UMNO party expels Anwar.
Sept 12-18: Anwar tours several regions of the country, including the Prime Minister's home state of Kedah, where an estimated 20,000 supporters listen to him explain his Reformasi (Reform) movement.
Sept 20: Anwar leads thousands of supporters to the national mosque, then to Merdeka Square in central Kuala Lumpur where they call for Mr Mahathir to step down. Protesters converge on Mr Mahathir's official residence where riot police fire tear gas and water cannon. Police arrest Anwar at his home.