Former M’sian premier Dr M scoffs at Anwar’s plan for political comeback

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed scoffed the idea of a political comeback by his renegade former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ''He could win a few seats but making a comeback and taking over the government, that's a pipedream.”

Anwar has already announced he wants to run for office through a proxy in the forthcoming general election (widely speculated in March), and eventually a by-election in May. But as analysts have pointed out a pop politician can not take the top job without enough majority parliamentary support from his ‘barisan’ coalition.

And so far, Anwar’s party and its rag-tag opposition coalition is no match to the formidable machinery, media and money of the ruling 14-party ‘Barisan Nasional’ coalition.

The opposition coalition remains divided and has performed poorly in recent by-elections. Still, the opposition coalition is hoping to deny the ruling coalition a two third majority against a backdrop of widespread accusation of election irregularities.

Recent Developments - updated Feb 14, 2008 : Anwar, Malaysian Opposition, Aim to Erode Majority - bloomberg.com

First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)

The First-Past-the-Post system is the simplest form of plurality/majority system, using single member districts and candidate-centered voting. The voter is presented with the names of the nominated candidates and votes by choosing one, and only one, of them. The winning candidate is simply the person who wins the most votes; in theory he or she could be elected with two votes, if every other candidate only secured a single vote.

Along with the UK, the cases most often analyzed are Canada, India, and the United States.

Source: http://www.aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/es/esd/esd01/esd01a

SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS IN MALAYSIA: Since 1957, Malaysia has retained a multi-party political system whereby the political party which secures the majority of the Parliamentary seats (House of Representatives) or the State Legislative Assembly seats can form the Federal or State Government as the case may be. The system used in Malaysia is based on the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) System. This implies that the candidate who secures a simple majority will be declared the winner in that constituency.

Source: http://www.spr.gov.my/index/process.htm

This source helps us to understand more about FPTP.

But, The Voice of the Majority is not a Measurement of Truth

PAS to contest 60 parliamentary seats

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (ES) – The Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) will be contesting in 60 parliamentary seats in the next general election, widely expected to feature one to one fights between the opposition and the ruling coalition.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang hinted that the party would need to be "practical" in its campaigning in the next general election, in view of the limited seats at the parliamentary level that it would contest.

The next general election is expected to be held next month. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi however has the prerogative to hold the election as late as next year. Malaysia has about 220 parliamentary seats.

"What's important (for the party is to highlight) the objective (of justice for all, drawn) from practices that is acceptable to all races," Abdul Hadi said in an impromptu press conference held at the party headquarter here today.

Also present was People Justice Party (KeADILan) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Several high ranking party officials from both parties were also present. MORE HERE