EC announces Anwar as winner

Tuesday August 26, 2008 MYT 10:04:34 PM
EC announces Anwar as winner

(the Star) BUKIT MERTAJAM: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat with a majority of 15,671 votes.

The victory marks a return to Parliament for the PKR advisor after an absence of 13 years.

The Election Commission announced that Anwar polled 31,195 votes while his Barisan Nasional opponent, Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah received 15,524.

Hanafi Hamat of Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim), who contested as an independent lost his deposit, polling only 92 votes.

Anwar last won the Permatang Pauh seat in 1995 with a majority of 23,515 votes.

The by-election was held after his wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail quit as Permatang Pauh MP on July 31. She had won with a majority of 13,388 votes in the March 8 general election.

With his victory, Anwar will take over as the Parliamentary Opposition Leader.

I drove through Jalan Prai on Monday night. This is one of the roads leading to PP. I was surprised with the traffic jam at very odd hours at night. I was patient, drove slowly and finally got through the traffic discovered it was caused by people parking their cars on the road side dropped by PKR operations center. Another 50 meters or so, BN also has an operations center nearby a mosque but it was very quiet with not many people. I was thinking BN is either complacent or losing their supports. I phoned my friend told him this reminds me of Han Jang crowds prior to Mar 8,08 general election. So this news of Anwar won PP by-election is no surprise to me - losing will be a big surprise to me. A new chapter, a new milestone, Malaysia.

This will however may add more uncertainties to the market. To me this is not a big deal because the worldwide equities markets are slumping. The slump is a function of global market behaviors. Political uncertainty, no OPR rate hikes, etc are just a few of the excuses of bearish moods. While the bear is hibernating, it will be an excellent time for Malaysia to reform - for better for sure. When the global equities markets ready for a new bull run, I am confident KLCI will soar to a all time high. Mark my words.