Malaysia’s ex-deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim wins parliamentary by-poll, set to return to active politics

Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim stormed to victory in the Port Dickson by-election on Saturday, setting the stage for his return to frontline Malaysian politics.

Anwar,71, won the Malaysian parliamentary by-election against six other candidates with a majority of over 23, 000 votes, by garnering 72 per cent of the valid votes cast.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 58.2 per cent of the 68,317 eligible voters of the Negeri Sembilan constituency had cast their votes, the highest turnout for a by-election since the general election in May. Overall turnout was short as per the EC target of 70 per cent, they said.’

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With the outstanding winning, Anwar, the once-jailed opposition leader, set to return to active politics. Anwar will succeed Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as the eight-prime minister of Malaysia.

I am happy with the results, Allah bless us all, says Anwar on his by-election victory.

In the press conference, Anwar hails the “astounding” result achieved by winning over all the ethnic groups of Malays, Chinese, and Indians in Pork Dickson.

“We were able to convincingly win the support of all races,” Anwar said.