Malaysia’s Anwar in multi-cornered race for Parliament seat

Malaysia’s reform icon, Anwar Ibrahim, center, show No.1 sign for by-election nomination in Port Dickson, Malaysia, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (AP/Vincent Thian)
Updated 29 September 2018
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Malaysia’s Anwar in multi-cornered race for Parliament seat

  • Anwar submitted his nomination papers Saturday at a hall in the southern coastal town of Port Dickson
  • Anwar was freed and pardoned by the king shortly after his alliance won a stunning electoral victory

PORT DICKSON, Malaysia: Malaysia’s prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim has kicked off his campaign for a by-election next month but faces a multi-cornered fight in his bid to return to active politics.
The by-election followed the resignation of a lawmaker to make way for Anwar’s comeback. Escorted by dozens of supporters including some cabinet ministers, Anwar submitted his nomination papers Saturday at a hall in the southern coastal town of Port Dickson.
He faces six other candidates including a former aide who had accused Anwar of sodomizing him a decade ago, leading to Anwar’s conviction in 2015.
Anwar, who has said his conviction was politically motivated, was freed and pardoned by the king shortly after his alliance won a stunning electoral victory in May that led to the first change of power since independence.