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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Anwar confident of election win | Anwar confident of election win |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he is confident of winning a by-election that could see him 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, 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 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. |
| Mr Anwar has been trying to make his political comeback since a ban on him seeking public office expired in April. | Mr Anwar has been trying to make his political comeback since a ban on him seeking public office expired in April. |
| But his campaign has been dominated by renewed claims he committed sodomy. | But his campaign has been dominated by renewed claims he committed sodomy. |
| Mr Anwar has firmly denied the allegations, and claims they are politically motivated to keep him out of office. | Mr Anwar has firmly denied the allegations, and claims they are politically motivated to keep him out of office. |
| 'Titanic struggle' | 'Titanic struggle' |
| Just a single seat is at stake, but the event has transfixed Malaysians, according to the BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant. | Just a single seat is at stake, but the event has transfixed Malaysians, according to the BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant. |
| 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. | 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. |
| A lot of money has been spent and the day-to-day business of government is on hold, our correspondent says. | A lot of money has been spent and the day-to-day business of government is on hold, our correspondent says. |
| class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3618586.stm">Profile: Anwar Ibrahim class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7580598.stm">Battle of the would-be leaders 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. | "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". |
| Observers say 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, 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. | 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. |