Permatang Pauh: Anwar represents a long-awaited alternative

Malaysians vote in high-stakes parliamentary election 24 August 2008 - Malaysia Today Kassim Ahmad, a former politician and respected political commentator, said Anwar represented a long-awaited alternative from the 'status quo of rampant corruption in government and a sluggish economy.' By Julia Yeow, Asia Pacific News The attention of the entire country rests on the sleepy-hollow constituency of Permatang Pauh, where a political battle of epic proportions will culminate next week in a by-election pitting Malaysia's ruling government against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Three candidates are vying for the parliamentary seat Tuesday, but the real battle is sure to be fought between the ruling National Front's candidate Arif Shah Omar Shah and Anwar, widely seen to be the favourite. Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, represented the seat from 1999 to 2008 before resigning on July 31 to allow her husband to contest and re-enter parliament. The town has become a hive of activity ever since, with both parties campaigning heavily in the run-up to Tuesday's polls. Permatang Pauh, located in the northern Penang state, has almost 60,000 registered voters, more than 60 per cent of them ethnic Malays, followed by ethnic Chinese and Indians. Arif Shah, a state representative who is popular locally, vowed to be a 'giant killer,' saying he was confident of 'winning by a small majority.' However, Anwar is an obvious favourite not only because of his long track record with the constituency, but also because his victory could possibly spell a change in government. The self-proclaimed prime minister-in-waiting said if he is voted into parliament, he will lead his three-party opposition alliance to take over the government by September 16. Kassim Ahmad, a former politician and respected political commentator, said Anwar represented a long-awaited alternative from the 'status quo of rampant corruption in government and a sluggish economy.' 'The significance of this election is big. People are expecting big changes, not just in Permatang Pauh but in the country,' Kassim said. He said Anwar's political pledge to end racial segregation, revive the economy and put an end to corruption struck a chord with voters. Kassim said Anwar's success in uniting three 'unlikely partners' in the opposition alliance was proof that a change in government, which has been dominated by the ruling Front since the country's independence in 1957, is a real possibility. The opposition is made up of Anwar's National Justice Party, the mainly Chinese Democratic Action Party and the hardline Parti Islam SeMalaysia. During the March 8 elections, the opposition made major gains by winning an unprecedented 82 out of 222 seats in parliament, and took control of five out of 13 states. 'People expect him to win this time, and form the government,' said Kassim. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, held the Permatang Pauh seat between 1982 and 1999, when he was forced to vacate it after being ousted from the government and put on trial for corruption and sodomy. He was convicted and imprisoned on both charges, which he denied, but was freed after Malaysia's top court overturned the sodomy conviction in 2004. Anwar's second chance at political success is once again at risk when in June, a former male aide lodged a report alleging Anwar had sodomised him. Anwar denied the allegations, saying he was being framed by top police and government officials to destroy his political ascent. 'Voters will choose Anwar because, regardless of the sodomy allegations, he is the best alternative to what they see as a crumbling government,' one political analyst predicted. But some observers said Anwar's ambitions to take over the government show a man desperate for power and revenge, making him an unsuitable candidate to lead the country. 'Voters will remember that while he was in government, Anwar did not have a good track record and did little for the welfare of minority groups,' said one critic, who noted the charismatic leader has yet to prove that he can 'make good on all his promises' to bring about changes to the government. But Anwar may stand to gain from growing public discontentment with an increasing crime rate, a sluggish economy and what is seen as rampant corruption. 'The question is not whether we can trust Anwar, the question should be whether we can afford not to trust him,' said a voter from Penang, who asked to be referred to as Cheah. 'We need him now because the country is in bad shape and he can unite the races,' he said. 'If he doesn't fulfill his promises once he takes over, he will be voted out at the next elections,' said another local voter. 'Voters know their rights, and collective power,' he added. ...source