Huge turnout as Anwar launches comeback bid

Huge turnout as Anwar launches comeback bid Aug 16, 2008 - Malaysiakini A huge crowd cheered opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim today as he registered for a by-election to return him to Parliament, the next step in his plan to become prime minister. The Aug 26 ballot in Anwar's home state of Penang is also seen as a test of his popularity after a young male aide accused him of sodomy - the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago. permatang pauh by election nomination day 160808 27"I am touched by the support. This is an overwhelming support," Anwar said as he arrived at the nomination centre in the Permatang Pauh constituency, which was locked down by barricades and an armed security presence. Some 10,000 supporters shouted Anwar's battle cry of "reformasi" or "reform", and waved party flags, facing off against 5,000 government supporters and trading taunts and insults. At least 3,000 police including the riot squad were deployed to keep the peace and a police helicopter hovered overhead. "We want change. The future is Anwar. Long live Anwar!" chanted supporters of the opposition leader, a former deputy premier who was sacked in 1998 and convicted on a sodomy charge that was later overturned. ...more http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/87950