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Malaysia watches Anwar election Anwar confident of election win
(about 7 hours later)
A special election in the Malaysian state of Penang is likely to see opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim returned to parliament. Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he is confident of winning a by-election that could see him returned to parliament.
The 61-year-old is favourite to win Tuesday's vote in what will be a highly symbolic return to national politics. The 61-year-old, who led the opposition to an unprecedented win in the general election earlier this year, is the clear favourite for the vote in Penang.
The campaign has been dominated by renewed allegations that Mr Anwar committed sodomy - charges he has rejected as a smear campaign. Mr Anwar has been trying to make his political comeback since a ban on him seeking public office expired in April.
Just a single seat is at stake but the event has transfixed Malaysians. But his campaign has been dominated by renewed claims he committed sodomy.
Millions have been spent, the day-to-day business of government is on hold, thousands of supporters have flooded into the small area of Permatang Pauh to try to help or hinder Mr Anwar, and there is a heavy police presence in Penang. Mr Anwar has firmly denied the allegations, and claims they are politically motivated to keep him out of office.
'Titanic struggle''Titanic struggle'
The man who led Malaysia's new opposition coalition to an unprecedented showing in a general election earlier this year is now on the brink of winning a seat in parliament himself - a crucial springboard in his bid to bring down the government. Just a single seat is at stake, but the event has transfixed Malaysians, according to the BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant.
"The Malaysians consider this a critical point in our history, whether we get the mandate to chart a new course for Malaysia or we should just be happy with the same corrupt establishment," said Mr Anwar. If Mr Anwar wins, it will not change the balance of power, but will herald his return to parliament for the first time in almost 10 years, and strengthen his hand in his campaign to become the next prime minister.
He is almost certain to win the contest but nonetheless the effort against him is immense. A lot of money has been spent and the day-to-day business of government is on hold, our correspondent says.
Thousands of supporters have flooded into the small area of Permatang Pauh to try to help or hinder Mr Anwar, and there is a heavy police presence in Penang.
"The Malaysians consider this a critical point in our history, whether we get the mandate to chart a new course for Malaysia or we should just be happy with the same corrupt establishment," Mr Anwar told reporters before the vote.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is leading the campaign on the other side. He told the BBC this was a "titanic struggle".Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is leading the campaign on the other side. He told the BBC this was a "titanic struggle".
One senior government politician even described it as a "jihad".One senior government politician even described it as a "jihad".
The government-controlled newspapers have lead the assault on Mr Anwar, emphasising the sodomy allegations. Observers say government-controlled newspapers have lead the assault on Mr Anwar, emphasising the sodomy allegations.
Voting irregularities have been uncovered. Voting irregularities have been uncovered, and unknown government supporters have also put up several Israeli flags in an attempt to persuade the mainly Muslim voters that the opposition leader is sympathetic to the Jewish state.
Unknown government supporters have also put up several Israeli flags - a very rare sight here - in an attempt to persuade the mainly Muslim voters that the opposition leader is sympathetic to the Jewish state.