At last he decided on his familiar playground. It is a big circle indeed. The favorite son is returning to his hometown after 10 years in and out of jail. The people of Permatang Pauh has been waiting for this to happen.
Anwar Ibrahim is expected to contest in the by-election for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat after the incumbent MP Wan Azizah, Anwar's wife who is also PKR's president and opposition leader quits on Thursday.
Wan Azizah was a reluctant politician but politics changed her from an ordinary doctor at UM Hospital to an extraordinary opposition leader in Parliament. Her former colleagues in UM Medical Centre would have dropped their jaw if they watch her performance in parliamentary debates. Not many ordinary folks turned parliamentarians impressed me with their performance in parliament but the last time I watch her speaking in a live telecast during the recent parliament session, I took my hat off for her.
She transformed from a housewife doctor to a commendable public orator. She will be remembered in the annals of Malaysian political history not as Anwar's wife but as the first female politician that led the opposition in parliament, albeit only for a few months.
Many will put their bet on Anwar to win this by-election, including those from Umno and other BN members. Whoever stands against him in Permatang Pauh must be prepared for a mauling. But in politics we need to expect the unexpected. His opponent will be someone to be reckoned with. The whole machinery will be mobilized to fight this by-election. Umno cannot afford to let him win so easily as this will shows weakness. This will be the catalyst for new politics in Malaysia. Unless of course if he gets a red card from the law.
Anwar knows he must not fail - even a drop of a single majority vote compared to Wan Azizah's 308 victory will be taken as a rejection of the people. He must win, and win it big as the passport to convince other Umno and BN MP's that he is ready to take over the nation's leadership.
The by-election need to be held within 60 days after the Parliament Speaker notifies the Election Commission. Assuming the EC is notified next Monday August 4, 2008, the by-election can be held within 60 days from thereon but based on usual practice it should be held earlier. If take into consideration the fasting month beginning in early September and Hari Raya Puasa on October 1, the by-election is expected to be held anywhere before Independence Day on 31 August. The possible dates should be during the coming school holidays on 16 - 24 August.
The most probable Day of Judgement will be on August 23, 2008. It will be an election that will be engraved in the history of Malaysia.
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