Penanti: Muhyiddin's not telling...

Although the Umno political bureau met yesterday, deputy party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not say whether Barisan Nasional (BN)will contest the state seat of Penanti come May 31.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin confirmed that the party’s political bureau met but he declined to say what was discussed.

Earlier, it was speculated that Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who chaired the political bureau meeting, would announce the party's decision in Sabah last night.

Datuk Seri Najib had said that unnecessary by-elections are a waste of public resources following which he announced that BN might give the up-coming by-election a miss.

However, BN has been receiving mixed responses from its coalition partners who said the opposition should not be given a walkover.

And last week Datuk Seri Najib said after the Umno Supreme Council meeting that the party would leave it to its political bureau to decide whether to contest the seat.

The state seat, a PKR stronghold, fell vacant following the resignation of former deputy chief minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

It comes under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is its MP.
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All is well in Pakatan...

Says Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Whatever differences (read here)they had were things of the past and Pakatan Rakyat component parties are now ready to take on the might of Umno and Barisan Nasional as a united front in the upcoming Penanti by-election in Penang on May 31.

Playing down the differences that existed and dismissing them as normal minor problems that would occur in any political coalition, he said:

"I will gladly say that whatever differences in opinions and views expressed by Pakatan leaders at local and national-level on the Penanti by-election are now resolved. "

"All Pakatan parties and leaders will be firmly united to back PKR," he told some 500 Penanti voters in Yayasan Aman, Permatang Pauh last night.

On reports of differences with PAS leaders in Permatang Pauh who had wanted to field a candidate of its own to contest the state seat, Datuk Seri Anwar said he had personally met PAS state commissioner Mohd Salleh Man, who had assured him that the party would fully back PKR in the by-election.

Differences in opinions have prevailed publicly between PKR and its Pakatan partners – DAP and PAS since last month in connection with the Penanti by-election, which comes under Datuk Seri Anwar’s Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency – a PKR stronghold.

The seat fell vacant when incumbent representative, former Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigned on April 16.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was reported to have been upset with Datuk Seri Anwar early on when the latter seemd to have dragged his feet in deciding on the party nominees to fill up the posts of DCM 1 and state executive councillor.

Both positions, vacated by Fairus effective April 8, were PKR’s quota in the Pakatan Penang state government.

The chief minister was also upset when PKR announced Fairus’ resignation as Penanti representative before duly informing him.

However, the issue was quickly settled after Anwar personally apologised to Lim.

Then a discord surfaced between local PKR and PAS leaders over which party would be the best to represent Pakatan in the by-election even after Datuk Seri Anwar had named former university associate professor Mansor Othman as candidate.

Anwar said the request by PAS Permatang Pauh to contest in Penanti were not signs of cracks in the Pakatan coalition as alleged by Umno.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, Salleh Man, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang and Guan Eng have all pledged full support for Mansor’s candidacy and were happy that PKR has chosen the right candidate.

Datuk Seri Anwar said Mansor was the right person because he can provide a strong and vibrant Malay leadership in the current Penang government.

Mansor is PKR candidate for Penanti

Former academician and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state deputy leader 58-year-old Mansor Othman (pic right) will be the party candidate for the Penanti by-election next month.

This was announced by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to a crowd of more than 1,000 people packed into Yayasan Aman, Penanti tonight.

Among Pakatan Rakyat leaders present were Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, PKR national president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, state PKR chief and Bayan Baru parliamentarian MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim, state DAP chairperson and state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow and former Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

Since the seat fell vacant after its incumbent representative Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigned on April 16, speculations were rife that Mansor was Anwar’s pick for the contest.

Mansor, a former professor from Universiti Sains Malaysia, was Anwar’s political secretary when the Parliamentary Opposition leader was the deputy prime minister in the Barisan Nasional federal government.

The by-election was called by the Election Commission when Fairus resigned as the elected representative. - Malaysiakini .

Ezam shows letter, Anwar says 'So what?' – Malaysiakini

This is about the letter, alledgedly written by Datuk Seri Anwar to the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, before the former was sacked as deputy Prime Minister in 1998, which was released by his former aide, Ezam Mohd Noor, at a ceramah during the current BN campaign in the Kuala Terengganu. The question is: why is Ezam, who has since rejoined Umno, producing the letter now – more than 10 years after he was asked to deliver the letter to the Tun? And how much of it is going to help the BN in the current by-election campaign? Just shows how incompetent and useless he (Ezam) was as an aide.

Here’s the report from Malaysiakini

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is unperturbed by former confidante Ezam Mohd Noor (pic left) releasing a letter he allegedly penned to Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1998.

"So? What's the problem? Saya tak berdamai dengan siapa (Who am I not at peace with)? What is the problem? What is the problem in making peace with anyone?" asked Anwar.

Anwar said this when met by reporters after his ceramah at Kg Kubang Ikan, Kuala Terengganu, last night. At a press conference this morning, Anwar refused to elaborate on the subject.

Ezam revealed the letter last night at a ceramah in Kg Kubang Parit to a crowd of 800 people and claimed that the document was Anwar's attempt to make peace with Mahathir.Ezam said Anwar had given him instructions to hand-deliver the letter "by hook or by crook" to Mahathir on Sept 8 when the latter was holding a meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre.

However, Ezam said he was unable to meet Mahathir at the venue and handed the document to the prime minister's department instead, adding that he was unsure if the former premier had received it.

"This letter was written after he was sacked and after he had strongly criticised Mahathir. From this letter, the nation and not just people of Kuala Terengganu, can evaluate what kind of leader Anwar is," he said.

Ezam's own interpretation?

Ezam read out the entire letter which began with Anwar seeking for ‘space' to fight against a ‘conspiracy' against him and also sought Mahathir's protection for his family.

"Myself and (Dr Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail) do not forget the love, mentoring and opportunities that you have given us. Even though our relationship is strained, I cannot forget your deeds," read the letter.

Copies of the letter were not distributed to the media.Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister on Sept 2 and the following day, he claimed that he was a victim of a political conspiracy.He began his nationwide tour on Sept 12, culminating in a mass demonstration at the national mosque on Sept 20.

Speaking to reporters later, Ezam said both prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak were given copies of the letter.

"As far as I'm concerned, I've gotten the green light (from them) and they feel that it is a responsibility for me to explain, not just to the voters in Kuala Terengganu, but to the whole nation about the hypocritical nature of Anwar, he said.

Sodomy trial: Anwar wins first round - Malaysiakini

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has won the first round of a legal battle against a transfer of his sodomy trial to the High Court, after a sessions court judge ruled that the lower court had the right to hear the defence's objections to the transfer. Malaysiakini has the story:

Nov 7, 08 3:42pm

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today ruled in favour of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and decided that his sodomy trial would be heard in the same court.

Delivering the ruling this afternoon, judge SM Komathy Suppiah had ruled that the transfer order signed by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail was invalid.The court fixed next Friday for ention.

The decision will pave the way for the sodomy trial to begin - three months after Anwar claimed trial after being charged with sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in jail. He is currently out on a RM20,000 personal bond.

AG's role disputed

In previous arguments on the case transfer, Anwar had objected to the application because the transfer certificate was signed by Abdul Gani.

The defence team's objection was on the basis that the AG should not have played any role in this case as he is being investigated for allegedly having tampered with evidence in Anwar's trials 10 years ago.

The defence has also argued that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had given an assurance that Abdul Gani would not be involved in the case

Anwar won with BIGGER majority

Congratulations Sdr Anwar!

Anwar Ibrahim scored a big victory in the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary by-election on Tuesday with a majority of 15,671 over his main challenger Arif Omar Shah from Barisan Nasional, Malaysiakini reports.

Anwar polled 31,195 votes to defeat Arif Shah who garnered 15,524 votes.

Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (AKIM)'s Hanafi Mamat secured only 92 votes and lost his deposit. Official turnout was 81.01%. There were 447 spoilt votes.

The result was announced by Returning Officer Roslan Yahaya at 10.02pm at the Aminuddin Baki Hall of the Tuanku Bainun Teacher's Institute here.

Below is the update from Malaysiakini:

9.50pm: Final official EC tally -
Anwar: 31,195 votes
Arif Shah, 15,524,
Hanafi, 92.
Anwar won with a majority of 15,671.

Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, won the seat with a 13,388 majority at the March 8 general elections.

The official voter turnout is 81.1 percent, or 47,410 out of 58,459 registered voters - which is much higher than what the EC has stated earlier. There were 599 spoilt votes.

Meanwhile, outside Tuanku Bainun Teaching Institute, thousands of jubilant PKR supporters have gathered to embrace their leader's return to Parliament.

PKR vice-president Azmin Ali is already there to address the crowd numbering some 6,000. Other party leaders like R Sivarasa and Tian Chua were also there.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and PAS' Husam Musa were also there.

Anwar also addressed the ecstatic group of supporters, thanking voters for their support. Tian said that the overwhelming victory showed that "the prime minister's racial politics is bankrupt".

"I thank the voters and consider this as a very defining moment in our history. This is in pursuant to the clamour and demand for change that you have seen during the March 8 general election," he told a packed press conference after he was declared as a winner. (Read here)

The EC made the official announcement at 10.05pm. Only Anwar and Hanafi were present at the announcement. Also present was Wan Azizah.

After the announcement was made, Anwar said that he was touched by the victory.

The victor immediately went to meet his supporters after that.

Read Kuda Ranggi's entry: Permatang Pauh - tamparan hebat kpd Pak Lah dan Najib

Polling starts in Permatang Pauh - Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini …

goes live today with the by-election coverage, giving updates on the voting and other happenings in this constituency. Please click 'Refresh' or 'Reload' in your browser for the latest reports from Permatang Pauh. (read also Polling day blog by MAFREL here)

Polling over, counting to start soon

5pm: Polling ends for the Permatang Pauh by-election.

4.35pm: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is understood to have left Penang to Kuala Lumpur, an early indication that the premier has accepted defeat and has no reason to stay back.

4.25pm: Voter turnout stands at 53.5 percent, according to EC secretary Kamaruzaman at 3pm.

He also denied rumours that the EC had extended the voting hours to 6pm. Polls will close at 5pm.

2.35pm: PKR vice-president Azmin Ali wants all party supporters to use motorcycles to go to the polling centres due to the massive traffic jams in all roads leading to these centres.

"From the indications we are getting, we are very confident of Anwar's lead," he said.

But he said that traffic gridlock on the narrow roads of the largely rural electorate had disrupted exit polling aimed at determining how voters cast their ballots.

"It is so bad that it's very hard for us to determine accurate exit polls due to the large number of people filling the polling centres and the long jams outside," he told AFP.

2.30pm: A worried-sounding BN candidate Arif Shah urged voters to come out to vote.

2.20pm: Malaysians for Free and Fair Election (Mafrel) spokesperson Ong BK said the election watchdog has recorded three cases of voters' names missing from the electoral roll this morning.He said these complainants have all voted in the previous elections but could not find their names on the roll today.

In one case, the complainant found his name missing despite his wife being allowed to vote."We don't know whether this is going to be a pattern as we have to continue to monitor the process until polling is closed" he told Malaysiakini.

1.27pm: The rain has stopped in certain areas, the traffic situation has improved in some parts and voters seem to be taking their time off for lunch first.

1.15pm: All roads leading to voting centres are going nowhere! Traffic has come to a standstill in most parts of Permatang Pauh.Najib attributed the massive traffic jams at the centres to narrow roads and on voters coming out early to vote.

1pm: Election Commission secretary Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said voter turnout as at noon was 44.8 percent.However EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar told Malaysiakini that he estimated the turnout to be at about 53 percent as at 1pm.

12.55pm: Eyewitnesses claim of a tense situation at the SMK Penanti polling centre between supporters of BN and PKR over the former's pondok panas which is located very close to the polling centre. [See map]

The situation is still under control but the respective supporters are continuing to trade barbs. The police are keeping a close watch.

12.30pm: Najib says he is happy with the polling so far."No untoward incidents so far and everything is under control," he told reporters in Seberang Jaya.He also visited a BN pondok panas at the polling centre in Seberang Jaya, talking to party workers and volunteers.

12.10pm: As predicted it's raining in Permatang Pauh now!

11.20am An Election Commission official says that they are not allowed to reveal details of voter turnout."Only EC secretary Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor can give those details," she said when contacted.Kamaruzaman is presently on his rounds visiting the polling centres.

11.05am PKR polling agent at SK Seberang Jaya 2 Rodziah Ismail confirmed that there were no discrepancies in the electoral roll used in the polling station. She said that only the pages were different in the roll used today as compared to the previous one.

11am: The crowd at SK Sri Penanti has dispersed. However a small group of around 300 still remain at a distance. Police are keeping a watchful eye on them. No ntoward incident has been reported.

10.52am: Third candidate Hanafi Hamat told malaysiakini that he was on the way to visit a polling station in Kubang Semang.

"I think I have chance to win," he said.

"But even if I lose, it's okay as our message has gone down to the voters. They are aware of our message," he added.

10.42am: Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob is at the scene at SK Sri Penanti. The crowd is given five minutes to disperse. The FRU are slowly moving the crowd out of the place. PKR information chief Tian Chua is also at the scene, asking the police to give more time for their supporters to be there.

10.30am: A PKR supporters is arrested for allegedly throwing an object to the BN side at SK Seri Menanti polling centre. There are about 1,000 supporters from both BN and Pakatan still gathered at this centre. They are kept afar on either side of a road opposite the centre.

Eye-witnesses say that there are about 600 Pakatan supporters as opposed to 400 from BN. They are very boisterous. At least nine truck-load of Federal Reserve Unit personnel are on standby at the place.

10.10am: "I hope to take oath in Parliament tomorrow," said a highly-confident Anwar.

"We are entering Parliament with a clear agenda and they (BN) should wake up with the stark realities of the day."

He said that he was receiving a strong support from the people of Permatang Pauh. He said this in a short five-minute speech after casting his vote.

10.05am: PKR's election bureau deputy director Fuziah Salleh told Malaysiakini that they were checking with the Election Commission on the discrepancy in the voters' list at SMK Seberang Jaya 2 polling district.

10am: Anwar and Wan Azizah left after casting their votes.

9.43am: Anwar, accompanied by his wife Dr Wan Azizah, enters the polling centre. He is wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt and a songkok. Wan Azizah will also be casting her vote at SK Seri Menanti.

9.38am: Anwar arrives at SK Seri Menanti

9.35am: At SK Seri Menanti, almost all voters are using the PKR line to check their status before voting. Exit poll shows nine out of 10 favoured Anwar.

9.31am: Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Gerakan acting president Koh Tsu Koon are at SK Seberang Jaya 2 polling centre where they bumped into Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and DAP leader Lim Kit Siang. The political leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings. However their respective supporters were less cordial, with the Pakatan group shouting ‘Altantuya! Liar! Cheater!' at Najib. BN supporters responded by shouting 'Hidup Barisan!'

9.10am: A PKR alert states that the voters' list used in the SMK Seberang Jaya 2 polling district is different from that given earlier.

It is however learnt that only the page numbers are different, but with the same list of voters.

9.05am: The crowd at SK Seri Penanti has now swelled to about 1,000, with almost two-thirds of them being from Pakatan. They are waiting for Anwar to arrive to vote.

8.45am: BN and Pakatan Rakyat supporters have started gathering at SK Seri Menanti where Anwar will be casting his ballot. About 300 Pakatan supporters have been teasing and mocking their rivals from the BN camp. The 50-odd BN men are also not slow to retort,singing away ‘liwat' songs. Pakatan supporters respond by chanting ‘Altantuya'.About 30 voters are also in line to vote here.

8.30am: There are about 70 supporters from both sides at SK Seberang Jaya 2. Anwar supporters are seen with a mask of him, goading the BN supporters. Bantering between the two sets of supporters are jovial and in good mood

8.08am: BN's Arif Shah is among the earliest to vote. His polling centre at SK Seberang Jaya 2 is close by to his house. He told reporters that he was confident of winning today.

"I voted at 8.08am as eight is a good number for me," he told reporters with a beaming smile. His wife Latifah Asmawi and son Izwan Shah also cast their votes with him.

8am: Polling starts. Almost all polling centres have voters milling around to vote early.

7.30am: It's polling day in Permatang Pauh, with a total of 58,459 voters who can vote to determine their chosen elected parliamentarian.

The contest to be the elected MP is among PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional's Arif Shah Omar Shah and little known Hanafi Hamat from Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim).

This has been Anwar's fort since 1982 and in his absence in the past 10 years, the seat has been held for him by his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The by-election is necessitated by Wan Azizah's decision to vacate the seat in July 31, to allow her husband a way back into the Parliament.

Permatang Pauh has three state seats under it - the BN-held Seberang Jaya, PKR's Penanti and PAS' Permatang Pasir.

Arif is also the state representative in Seberang Jaya.

There are 25 polling centres, with 110 polling stream - all opened for voting since 8am. They will remain open until 5pm.

The weather in Permatang Pauh is clear and sunny. However, rain is expected throughout the day. Voters are being reminded to be ready with their umbrellas and raincoats.

It has been constantly raining in the evenings in this constituency for the past week- Malaysiakini http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/88579

Perak Exco member remanded for two days

Perak PKR state executive councillor Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi was today remanded for two days to assist the ACA in their investigations into a RM180 million housing project scandal.

The state cabinet member was taken to the Ipoh magistrate's court this morning where the two-day remand order was made, reports Malaysiakini.

He was arrested at 10.30am yesterday morning when he surrendered himself to the ACA.

Jamaluddin (PKR-Behrang), the exco for entrepreneur development, agriculture and commerce was among six detained yesterday for alleged graft in relation to a RM180 million housing project in Seri Iskandar, about 30-minute drive south of Ipoh. yesterday following a public tip-off. (read here)

Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin told reporters yesterday that those who have been remanded are innocent until proven guilty.

"They are remanded for investigations and no charges have been laid against them... Let natural justice takes its course," he told reporters.

The incident is expected to send the Perak government into turmoil as the Pakatan Rakyat government only holds a slim three-seat majority over Barisan Nasional

Meanwhile, PKR deputy leader Syed Husin Ali said the manner the arrests were made "indicates the possibility that the individuals involved may have been victims of entrapment".

"The timing of this incident also gives reason to suspect a political motive given our close proximity to the by-election in Permatang Pauh," he said in a press statement yesterday.

The PKR leader called on ACA to conduct a "thorough, transparent and professionally conducted investigation" into the matter.

"If the investigation proves that alleged misconduct did in fact occur in this matter then PKR and our partners in the Pakatan Rakyat will take swift action against those involved in any impropriety consistent with our commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability." - Excerpts from Malaysiakini .

Read Tulang Besi's (of Malaysia Waves) entries : Entrapment in Perak and Relation to Permatang Pauh here and When BPR is Practicing Selective Investigation: Perak Entrapment Case here.

(I applaud the ACA for its good work. Very efficient too, mah, If these exco members are guilty, their place is in jail. No two ways about it. But until then, they are innocent until proven guilty. And I hope the ACA will continue to carry out its duty without fear or favour…and catch those who abuse their public office... irrespective of party affiliations.)

Pak lah says it again: Saiful is a victim, who’s seeking justice, so leave him alone

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants all parties to leave Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alone following the religious oath the latter took by swearing on the holy Quran on Friday - on the eve of the nomination for the Permatang Pauh by-election - that he was sodomised by de facto PKR leader, Anwar Ibrahim.

Pak Lah was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini that Saiful is seeking justice because he is a victim and should be admired for his courage to do so.

“Instead of criticising the manner he had performed the swearing, one should admire his courage to do so.

"One should question the accused instead, not the accuser," said the Umno president during his first visit on campaign to Permatang Pauh yesterday.

Abdullah's visit to Permatang Pauh today indicated BN's need to bring in all their big guns to ensure victory.

He is also the member of parliament for the neighbouring Kepala Batas constituency.Meanwhile a quick survey in the constituency revealed that the sodomy saga had minimal impact on voters.

Like the pre-Quran swearing period, persistent rumours are widespread now
that pictures revealing ‘Anwar-Saiful' intimacy would be out soon.

Local Umno leaders however are worried that BN candidate Arif Shah OmarShah would face the wrath of voters' backlash if the saga dragged on.

The government is firm in portraying Saiful, the young aide, as the victim. In an interview last month with The Associated Press (AP), Abdullah denied any conspiracy.

"The aide "needs justice," Abdullah said. "That is what he is crying for. We cannot ignore that."

Interesting read; On Intentions here and This whole mubahala thing here by Sakmongkol AK 47 and Sai-full of lies by Haris Ibrahim

(I saw Pak Lah spoke on TV3 last night. He was looking down most of the time and his body language gave the impression that he wasn't convinced of what he was saying. Well...that was my perception. But certainly you know which side he is on.)

"I can defeat Anwar"...

...says Datuk Arif Omar Shah (left), the chosen BN candidate who will be taking on the PKR de facto leader in the Permatang Pauh Parliamntary by-election on Aug 26.

"I am confident of winning even if not by an overwhelming majority," Arif Shah declared after he was named the BN’s choice on Thursday night. (Malaysiakini read here)

He added that Anwar should be contesting in Kuala Lumpur since the PKR leader was now Klang Valley based - instead of contesting in Permatang Pauh

BN's Arif: 'Who can defeat Anwar? I can'

...The 52-year-old Arif Shah - who is also the Seberang Jaya state assemblyperson - said his selection was unexpected.

He broke into tears hearing the announcement, and his supporters were up on their feet applauding him. It is not BN's norm to select a by-electioncandidate who is already holding office- in a state assembly or Parliament.

The candidate nevertheless took the podium without haste and declared his readiness for the uphill battle, to the approval of the 1,500-odd BN supporters gathered.

In his short speech - punctuated with Mandarin sentences - he asked voters to give BN a chance and pledged to serve all communities equally.

The Umno man, popular among locals, is known for his constituencyservices and can speak fluent Mandarin, an advantage in BN's bid to woo back Chinese voters.

He successfully defended his state seat in the last general election, whilst his Umno colleagues faltered. - Malaysiakini

(All I can say is, all the best to you, Datuk, Just play it clean! Read here)

Anwar to contest Permatang Pauh -Malaysiakini

Jul 31, 08 3:16pm

BREAKING NEWS! Anwar Ibrahim will contest a by-election in the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary seat which will be vacated by his wife, PKR leader DrWan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Wan Azizah told a packed press conference this afternoon that she will be resigning her position as member of parliament for the seat but will retain her post as PKR president.

"I have submitted my resignation letter to House speaker today," she said.

A calm Wan Azizah told the journalists that the people in Permatang Pauh have a special affinity to Anwar, who have been their elected representative eviously.

Anwar said that other party leaders had offered their seats to him but he preferred Permatang Pauh.

He said that, among others, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim had offered him his Bandar Tun Razak seat, just as party vice president Azmin Ali had offered his Gombak seat.

"After discussion with party leaders, I have decided to go for Permatang Pauh," he said.

He added that he had informed his decision to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang who had given his full support.

Anwar, who is seeking a parliamentary comeback after an absence of 10 years, has been shopping for a seat to contest after the expiry of a five-year ban from active politics.

The Election Commission will be required to call a by-election within 60 days.

Permatang Pauh has been held by Anwar for 17 years since he joined Umno in 1982.

Wan Azizah took over as MP for the seat after her husband was sacked from Umno in 1998, and was subsequently jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy.

In the 2008 general elections, she won the seat for a third term with a majority of 13,388. Anwar had earlier said that he would contest in Kulim-Bandar Baharu seat if a court orders a by-election in the Kedah seat.

The High Court is to hear a challenge on Aug 19 asking it to invalidate the result in the seat that was won by his PKR in March 8 general elections. However, uncertainty over possible delays in the court decision was a key factor in the change of mind.

In resigning her seat, Wan Azizah could be slapped with a five-year ban from running in another election. Her decision today will likely mean an end to her 10-year political career.

Anwar was also asked what would happen if he is to be charged with sodomy in relation to the police report lodged by his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan on June 28.

"What charge?" he retorted.

"They have nothing to charge me with. They have been fishing for almost a month now and they haven’t caught any fish yet. Maybe they would catch a coconut and assume it’s a fish."

However, there are fears that he could be arrested. (read here)

"They may arrest him in the next 48 hours. It is aimed to prevent him from contesting a by-election," Tian Chua, PKR information chief, told AFP.

The government responded to today's announcement by saying it did not fear Anwar's possible return to office.

"We are not worried ... we will face it ... he is not a threat. It is a democratic process, good luck to him," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

Syed Hamid confirmed that police have completed their investigation and have submitted their findings to the Attorney General’s Chambers to determine if a criminal charge should be levelled against the PKR leader.

Even if he was arrested and charged, Anwar can still run in the by-election as he would only be disqualified if he was found guilty and slapped with at least a two-year jail sentence and/or fined more than RM2,000.

Present at the press conference to show support were also two of Anwar’s daughters, Lembah Pantai MP Nurrul Izzah and Nurul Nuha as well as PKR deputy-president Dr Syed Husin Ali and vice-presidents R Sivarasa and Azmin Ali.

Other who were there included Cheras DAP MP Tan Kok Wai who was there to represent the party leadership.

http://malaysiakini.com/news/87047

Read Rocky'sBru2 Husam welcomes Anwar back in Parliament : here

PM: IGP, AG barred from Anwar probe – Malaysiakini

The Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General will be excluded from an investigation against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who has been accused of sodomy. (Malaysiakini - IGP, AG barred from Anwar probe: PM and the Star here )

The Prime Minister said Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will not be part of the investigating team.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the two were excluded because Anwar had earlier lodged a police report against them, alleging that they had fabricated evidence against him in the infamous “black eye” incident in 1998. (read here Anwar lodges report against IGP and AG ).

“They would not be taking up any role in the investigating team,” he said yesterday.

In the 1998 investigation of sodomy charges against Anwar, Musa was the senior investigating officer while Abdul Gani was the head of prosecution.

During the press conference, Abdullah was also asked if the two should be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“They are not involved directly, the investigating officer has not made any reference to them, so I do not see why they should be suspended,” he said

Anwar’s bid to gain sympathy won’t work…

...says Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Hishamuddin was quoted as saying that Datuk SeriAnwar Ibrahim’s strategy to gain the people’s sympathy by claiming that he is the victim of a political conspiracy and that his life is in danger, will not work.

“The political scenario today is very different from that in 1998, and so it is difficult to win public sympathy with that kind of tactic,“ he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.

The people could see for themselves the transparency and openness of Abdullah’s administration, which was contrary to Anwar’s claim that the Government had evil intentions towards him, he said.

You're right Datuk. This isn’t 1998. But you're wrong if you think he will be an object of public scorn.

According a poll carried out by Malaysiakini, almost everyone thinks Anwar is innocent - a whopping 94.4 pe rcent of its readers believe that the fresh sodomy allegation against the PKR de facto leader is part of a political conspiracy against him.

And, people are still flocking - by the hundreds - to hear what he has to say as evident at last night's rally at the Melawati Stadium in Shah Alam.

Pictures: courtesy of dinmerican
Video of the Shah Alam Rally: Here

Related article: Most Malaysians believe Anwar is innocent: polls

Interesting article by Mathias Chang : Abdullah Badawi, The political chameleon and the Anwar Saga p What everyone should know about the real Badawi!

Malaysian Gate-Daily News UpDate: Plan may backfire - Malaysiakini

Anwar accused of sodomy... again

A police report has been lodged against PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for alledgedly somising one of his aides - the second time that such an accusation has been made in over 10 years, according to a report by Malaysiakini.

According to rocky'sbru YB Nik Nazmi (The PKR State Assemblyman for Seri Setia) has confirmed that the above information was sent by PKR's sms service. He also spoke to an Editor of a mainstream newspaper who said that they'll be carrying a story on a police report lodged against a politician for sodomy but won't be naming names.

Anwar has called for a press conference tomorrow afternoon.

Below is the story by the Associated Press on the police report.

Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar accused of sodomizing aide

AP - 2 hours 39 minutes ago

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - A police official and politicians say Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been accused of sodomizing his male aide.

Anwar's lawyer has denied the allegation.

Kuala Lumpur's police chief for criminal investigations, Ku Chin Wah, said Saturday that a man filed a police complaint late Saturday claiming that Anwar sodomized him.

He said police are "investigating the complaint."

Ku declined to identify the man, but representatives of the opposition People's Justice Party identified him as Anwar's special assistant, Saiful Bahari.

The accusation comes 10 years after Anwar was ousted from government in a power struggle amid accusations of corruption and sodomy. He was convicted on both charges, but the sodomy conviction was later overturned.

Anwar has issued a press statement on the police report below:

Press statement on police report: FOR iMMEDIATE RELEASE

By Anwar Ibrahim

June 29, 2008, Shah Alam, MALAYSIA

The police report lodged against me earlier today is complete fabrication. I believe we are witnessing a repeat of the methods used against me in 1998 when false allegations were made under duress. This is clearly a desperate attempt by the Nasional Barisan regime to arrestthe movement of the Malaysian people towards freedom, democracy and justice.

The report has been organized by interested parties to attack me in retaliation for evidence I have recently obtained implicating IGP Musa Hassan and the AG Gani Patail in misconduct including fabrication of evidence in the cases launched against me in 1998-1999. This vile attack will not prevent me from releasing this dossier to the public.

I urge the Malaysian people to stand against the repressive forces that will be unleashed by the government in the coming days and weeks. We expect the media, the judiciary and the police force to all come under the direct and unchecked control of the executive.

My fellow Malaysians - we took a bold step forward on March 8th towards a new dawn for freedom and justice for all of our citizens. This people’s movement for change must go on with all of our strength and conviction.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Related article: Fitnah Sodomi Cubaan Cemar Maruah Bakal PM Anwar Ibrahim

Too bad Ezam, you can’t run in Umno Dec polls…

...although you’re now an Umno member .

============================================

Former Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor who has been accepted into Umno will not be allowed to contest for any post in this year's party election.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told reporters of the decision after the party's supreme council meeting Thursday night.

“He's a new member. He cannot contest this time around. He is only eligible to stand from next year onwards,” he said.

Ezam had said he wanted to re-join Umno because he believed in the sincerity of the Prime Minister in wanting to push through the reform agenda particularly after the March 8 general election.

Umno supreme council had endorsed the return to active politics of its former vice-president Tan Sri Isa Samad who had been suspended by the party for money politics.

“Tan Sri Isa can contest any post in the coming party elections,” he said.

Umno polls are held every three years and this year is party election year.

Umno branches will be having its elections from July 17 to Aug 24, divisions from Oct 9 to Nov 9 while the main party elections for president, deputy president and supreme council posts and posts in Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings will be from Dec 16 to Dec 20.

The Star has the story here