Anwar, MP for Permatang Pauh, what's next..............

Anwar Ibrahim (PKR) has won the Permatang Pauh by-election with a 15,671 vote majority. Anwar polled 31,195 votes to Datuk Arif Shah (BN)'s 15,524 votes, while the third candidate Hanafi Mamat (Akim) polled only 92 votes and lost his deposit. Wan Azizah had won the seat by 13,398 votes in the last general elections on March 8.

Anwar said he had outgunned the government despite a "sickening" campaign that focused on new sodomy allegations against him, and was marred by allegations of vote-buying and electoral fraud.

The opposition has also accused the coalition of attempting to undermine Anwar by stoking tensions between Muslim Malays who dominate the population, and minority ethnic Chinese and Indian citizens.

"This is a clear indication that people of all races have rejected the communal politics of Barisan Nasional. It is a clear endorsement of our reform agenda. We are on track to take over the government," Anwar told AFP. Evidently UMNO's call to safeguard “the future of the Malay race” and "ketuanan Melayu” had irked the Malays.

In his victory speech Anwar said,“The people of Permatang Pauh have spoken not only for themselves, but on behalf of all Malaysians that they want change,” he said.

“Now we can work towards building a free press, an independent judiciary, an economy that benefits the vast majority and not a few sons and sons-in-laws.” He also promised to fight towards an administration that would benefit all races.


UMNO/BN is very much upset with the result,though, they knew that they will lose but not with a bigger majority. UMNO/BN isnt taking this defeat with ease. Rumors have it that the gomen is preparing another showdown with Anwar soon on some trump up charges. How true the rumour is, no one really knows but please take it seriously.This allegation here probably be their second move besides the sodomy case.

Muhammad Muhammad Taib, UMNO's Information chief said, "Yes of course we have lost... we were the underdogs going into this race." He added,"He is the winner here because this is his hometown and the timing of the elections is to his advantage because Umno's party polls will be held in a month."

Najib on the other hand said Anwar's win in the Permatang Pauh by-election showed democracy 'was still alive' in the country and was not being manipulated as claimed by certain quarters.

Meanwhile streamyx at DNS level has reportedly block Raja Petra’s alternative news portal Malaysia Today.has been reportedly blocked by Streamyx at DNS level,to access the website,try this link. Malaysian Insider also reports that the government’s next task is to crack down on bloggers.

To Anwar Ibrahim I extend my heartfelt congrats,we had done our part. Now its up to you to prove that the rakyat of Permatang Pauh made the right choice................




cheers.