Anwar Ibrahim Wins a Decisive By‑Election in Port Dickson
On Saturday, Malaysia’s long‑time reform champion, Anwar Ibrahim, clinched a seat in Parliament with a stunning majority, a win that nudges him ever closer to the premiership Mahathir Mohamad promised after years of rivalry.
Key Highlights
- Victory margin: over 23,500 votes
- Turnout: low, but the numbers still swing heavily in Anwar’s favour
- Significance: first time Anwar and Mahathir sit side‑by‑side in a single parliamentary faction
- Timing: marks Anwar’s official return to politics only five months after his release from jail
In port‑town Port Dickson, the electorate handed Anwar a clear mandate, even as turnout slipped. The triumph signals that Reformasi not only survived a political storm but continues to grow.
Anwar’s Moment‑of‑Truth Speech
At the victory rally broadcast live on social media, Anwar addressed his supporters with heartfelt conviction:
“Reform isn’t a one‑month, four‑month, or even a year’s project. It’s about cleaning up the system, freeing the media, eradicating corruption, and turning ethical behaviour into the norm of politics.”
He then added, “To everyone who voted and our friends across the country, I’ll not squander the trust you’ve placed in me.”
The crowd roared in approval, a testament to the momentum behind Malaysia’s political transformation.
Mahathir & Anwar: A Story of Old Rivalry, New Hope
In May, the 93‑year‑old Mahathir Mohamad steered the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) to a jaw‑dropping win in Malaysia’s general election. The old guard, Barisan Nasional, was ousted after a staggering 61‑year reign—straight up political drama!
Normally, the star of the show, Anwar Ibrahim, would have been in the running, but he was detained behind bars for a 2015 sodomy conviction. Still, his partnership with Mahathir sparked the electoral fire, and subsequently, the legendary prince‑likoi of Kuala Lumpur got a royal pardon from the country’s monarch.
The Back‑and‑Forth
- Some 20 years of turmoil began when Mahathir, while in his earlier tenures as prime minister, sacked Anwar from his deputy role in 1998.
- Only a year later, Anwar landed a corruption and sodomy sentence—claims he and his supporters say were manufactured to stifle his political ambitions.
- Despite the theatrics, the two powerhouses found a way to sync their interests, leading to that unexpected victory in 2022.
Future Moves
Now back at the helm for a second time, Mahathir has publicly promised to step aside in two years and hand the baton to Anwar—as the 8th prime minister of Malaysia. So, if you thought politics was all about the old drama, think again—it’s a whole new ball game!
