Anwar Ibrahim Update

Anwar Bid for Power Boosted by Election Win. Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim won the by-election of Permatang Puah by a landslide. Despite his triumphant victory, Anwar faces another hurdle to clear his name of sodomy allegations by his 23 year-old aide. Anwar had previously spent 6 years in jail for sodomy charges which were later overturned.

Anwar ready to unseat Government. Opposition leader Anwar said on Saturday that he is on track on the mid-September deadline to get enough members of parliament to defect to topple the government. Anwar needs at least 30 members from the ruling Barisan National govenment to unseat the government of Prime Minister Abdulla Badawi.

Doctor stands by claim that no evidence of alleged rape. The doctor who examined the man accusing Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim stood by his claim on Thursday that there was no evidence of the alleged rape. Anwar has said Mohamed Osman's findings prove that the accusation was false, though hospital authorities claim that the doctor was not qualified to make any conclusions on sodomy.

Mahathir's son to Contest for top party post. Amidst threats of an opposition takeover, a son of ex PM Mahathir, Mukhriz Mahathir, announced his candidacy for youth chief of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which has led the country's ruling coalition since independence.