Malaysia’s Anwar in multi-cornered race for Parliament seat
PORT DICKSON, Malaysia — Malaysia’s prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday kicked off his campaign for a byelection in coming weeks but faces a multi-cornered fight in his bid to return to active politics.
The byelection followed the resignation of a lawmaker to make way for Anwar’s comeback. Escorted by scores of supporters including some cabinet ministers, Anwar submitted his nomination papers at the town hall in the southern coastal town of Port Dickson.
He faces six other candidates including a former aide who had accused Anwar of sodomizing him a decade ago, leading to Anwar’s conviction in 2015. Anwar, who has said his conviction was politically motivated, was freed and pardoned by the king shortly after his alliance won a stunning electoral victory in May that led to the first change of power since independence.
“This is a sure win for Anwar. Port Dickson voters will want a heavyweight to represent them,” said James Chin, head of Asia Institute in Australia’s University of Tasmania.