Anwar’s Malaysia election win boosts push for becoming next PM

By Jalil Hamid
Reuters (Washington Post)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008; 11:29 AM

PERMATANG PAUH, Malaysia (Reuters) – Malaysia’s best-known opposition politician, Anwar Ibrahim, scored a bigger than expected victory in a by-election on Tuesday, boosting his chances of becoming the country’s next prime minister.

Anwar, whose campaign for the parliamentary seat vacated by his wife has been dogged by charges of sodomy, won a majority of 15,671 over his government opponent.

He said he would initiate a vote to topple the coalition that has ruled Malaysia for five decades.

“The message is clear, we in Permatang Pauh and in Malaysia, we demand change for freedom and justice,” Anwar told a jubilant crowd of thousands of people gathered in a football stadium who were chanting “reformasi” (reform) and “merdeka” (freedom). [more]

Permatang Pauh: Let people decide, says Anwar

TheSun, Opalyn Mok

GEORGE TOWN (Aug 22, 2008): Let the people decide the outcome of the Permatang Pauh by-election and let Barisan Nasional MPs decide whether they want to cross over to PKR or not, said PKR’s de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is one of the contenders for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, said there is still a possibility of him winning the seat despite seemingly confident remarks by the BN and BN candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah.

“We should just let the people decide on this ultimately,” he said.

As for BN’s claims that he is lying about being able to get 31 MPs to cross over to form a new government come Sept 16, Anwar said the decision lies with the MPs.

“They should let the MPs decide on whether they want to cross over or not when the time comes.”

He said it is a fact that the BN have publicly said it was impossible for the Opposition coalition to deny them a two-third majority in the March elections. [more]

Anwar on painkillers nursing back strain

By ANDREA FILMER

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The breakneck schedule of the campaign trail has taken its course on PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The favoured by-election candidate, who was seen getting a boost from bodyguards to cross drains and bumpy roads during a walkabout, professed to be taking painkillers to nurse an old back injury.

[more]

Malaysia arrests 2 from Anwar Ibrahim’s party for graft

International Herald Tribune

The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysia’s anti-corruption watchdog arrested two state lawmakers from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s party for alleged bribery Wednesday, complicating Anwar’s bid to re-enter Parliament.

Opposition groups voiced concerns that the arrests were meant to undermine public support for Anwar ahead of next week’s parliamentary by-election. Anwar has persistently accused Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration of rampant corruption and has pledged to seize power by mid-September.

The government’s Anti-Corruption Agency said it detained two legislators and four other suspects in northern Perak state for alleged crimes in connection to a 180 million ringgit (US$56 million) housing project and a sex case.

One of the legislators was “caught shortly after receiving a bribe of over 123,400 ringgit (US$38,500) to speed up the processing of a housing project,” the agency said in a statement. It did not elaborate on the alleged sex case.

An agency official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements, said the legislators were from Anwar’s People’s Justice Party, but he denied the crackdown was politically motivated.

The arrests could be a potential embarrassment for Anwar, who is already fighting a sodomy charge that he claims was concocted by the government to tarnish his reputation. The government has denied the allegations. [more]

Anwar ‘has over 40 govt MPs’

Straits Times, Reme Ahmad

PERMATANG PAUH AND IPOH – ONCE Anwar Ibrahim wins the Penang by-election on Aug 26, he is expected to reel more than 40 government MPs into the opposition coalition within weeks, sources close to the three-party alliance suggest. [more]

Malaysia’s opposition leader files for by-election

By EILEEN NG – 4 days ago

PERMATANG PAUH, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s top opposition leader filed nomination papers Saturday for a Parliament by-election that he is expected to win easily — the first step in his bid to bring down the government and become prime minister.

Tens of thousands of cheering supporters escorted Anwar Ibrahim to the nomination center where he formally registered for the Aug. 26 election in the northern state of Penang.

“I am touched by the overwhelming support. It is no longer just a by-election. It is a lot more than that,” said Anwar.

The massive show of support is a demonstration of Anwar’s popularity despite being recently charged with sodomizing a 23-year-old male aide, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in jail. Anwar says that and a similar charge in 1998 were the result of political conspiracies to prevent him from becoming prime minister.

The latest accusation came as his People’s Alliance opposition coalition has become a serious threat to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s National Front coalition, which has been in power since independence in 1957. [more]

Responding to Chandra Muzaffar’s Slamming of Anwar Over ‘Back Door’ Bid for Putrajaya

Aug 11, 08 10:54am
‘Another four years is a very long time. I believe Malaysians are ready to support Anwar. His ambition to be PM by September is I believe a desire of most Malaysians as well.’

On Anwar slammed over ‘back door’ bid for Putrajaya

Ahmad Kamal: Dr Chandra’s concerns are valid. As a matter of principle, resignations and crossing-overs are not democratic. If we would now thwart the ideals to democracy, who knows where this might lead to.

As much as I cringe at these political strategies by Anwar and PKR with support of the opposition partners, I must say that there is no time like the present. Abdullah Badawi and his team are not the leaders Malaysia wants.

If they are there today, comfortable in their parliamentary seats, we can safely surmise that the rigged elections would have something to do with it.

And since 1998, ordinary citizens and scholars have exposed the partisan Election Commission, a rotting judiciary, an undisciplined police force, rising prices and inflation.

Another four years is a very long time. I believe Malaysians are ready to support Anwar. His ambition to be prime minister by September is I believe a desire of most Malaysians as well.

Times like these call upon us to rethink our priorities. Of course, if the inevitable happens and Anwar becomes the PM for all Malaysians, we must see to it, that we check ourselves and those who are entrusted to look after the nation’s affairs.

Check them from straying from our democratic ideals or even restore them at the shortest time possible. These are revolutionary times, Chandra!

May God Bless Anwar: I have an emotion I find difficult to explain. I dislike Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib to the deepest core – that’s easy to explain.

But I find I have a much deeper dislike for Ezam and Chandra Muzaffar.

Lim Leong: I beg to differ with Chandra Muzaffar on his assertion that Anwar is being unethical and undemocratic in trying to seize power through the back door. Let’s deal with the question of ethics and democracy in the context of March general election with the following facts:
[more]

Malaysia’s PAS pledges support for Anwar Ibrahim

radioaustralia.net

The spiritual leader of Malaysia’s Islamic Party, PAS has pledged to support Anwar Ibrahim’s campaign to return to front-line politics despite looming charges of sexual misconduct.

Campaigning is underway for the seat of Permatang Pauh in the North of Penang State. Anwar Ibrahim’s attempt to return to parliament has been plagued by a charge relating to sodomy.  [more]

By-election hogs limelight in Chinese papers

Thestar.com.my

THE Permatang Pauh by-election hogs the limelight in all Chinese newspapers, with China Press describing the contest as a personal fight between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Umno.

Quoting current affairs commentator Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian, the daily said the PKR adviser would use his influence to fight Umno.

Dr Cheah also predicted that Anwar’s chances of winning the by-election were bright and he would most likely be elected the MP.

As proven from the March 8 general election, Anwar has achieved a level of success, he added.

Dr Cheah also took a step further by saying that Anwar would realise the dream of the late Datuk Onn Jaafar in setting up a multi-racial political party.

> Sin Chew Daily quoted Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as saying that if Anwar were to win the Aug 26 by-election, he could be sworn in immediately.

Anwar: It won’t derail my election plans

Anwar (center) accompanied by his wife Azizah arrives at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court Thursday

Asiaone News

By AUDREY EDWARDS and FLORENCE A. SAMY

PETALING JAYA: The sodomy charge against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not derail his plans to contest in the upcoming Permatang Pauh by-election.

Anwar said he was looking forward to the campaigning period to meet voters in his home constituency.

The de facto PKR leader reiterated his concern over the integrity of the electoral process where, to date, evidence of phantom voters and “ballot box stuffing” had yet to be addressed by the Election Commission.

“The poor handling of the use of indelible ink in the general election gives all Malaysians, particularly those in Permatang Pauh, reason to be concerned about the conduct of polling this month,” he said in a statement read out during a press conference at the PKR headquarters here yesterday.

Anwar urged the commission to take the opportunity of the by-election to restore some credibility to its reputation.

When asked whether the charges would affect voting in Permatang Pauh, he said it was the decision of the voters in the constituency, adding that the rakyat had been following the case closely and knew all the “tricks”.

His focus during the campaign would be on change and the economy.

“God willing, we will win in Permatang Pauh. God willing, we will win convincingly. I look forward to joining my colleagues in Parliament to prepare for the historic transition that the country is eagerly awaiting,” he said. [more]

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