Anwar Ibrahim Wins Permatang Pauh By A Landslide!

Congratulations, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim! You did it! You won Permatang Pauh! A landslide victory for Anwar, for Reformasi! Now on to Putrajaya, Mr Prime Minister-in-waiting...

The official results of the Permatang Pauh By-election today, as announced by the Elections Commission at 10.02 pm, 26 August 2008:

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: 31,195 votes

Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah: 15,524 votes

Hanafi Mamat: 92 votes

Majority: 15,671
Voter Turnout: 80%
Total Votes: 47,258
Spoilt Votes: 447

Datuk Seri, you have successfully made the first step on the road to Putrajaya. You've won the ticket to be the next Prime Minister of Malaysia. This is a huge victory for reformasi and democracy in Malaysia! While we rejoice with you, it would be worth our while to take into account that this is only the beginning of the more difficult task to bring about the necessary changes to this country.

Be aware, as we know you are, be very aware that UMNO/BN will do whatever it takes to stop you. You beat the odds, and it is a great psychological bonus for you to have destroyed whatever tiny hope that UMNO/BN had to reduce your majority from the 13,348 votes that Datin Seri secured in the General Elections last March. You even denied them of that puny little hope as proof of the erosion of the people's trust in you. On the contrary, your increased majority of 15,671 votes can only mean that more and more Malaysians are beginning to look up to Datuk Seri to lead this nation to greater heights.

We know as well as you do that the road ahead will be very hard and tough. On top of that, Datuk Seri will have to carry on your shoulders the hopes and aspirations of the people of Malaysia. But while we, the rakyat, have placed our hopes and dreams on you, be assured that our prayers are also with you on your journey to Putrajaya. Our prayers and support are with you as we work together towards the fulfillment of the people's aspiration in building this great nation called Malaysia.

Thank you, and our prayers are with you, Datuk Seri.