[4] Anwar won the election and was sworn into Parliament on 28 August 2008,[5][6] vowing to topple the government with the help of defectors from Barisan Nasional.

[7][8] On 27 July 2008, Anwar said that he aimed to return to parliament for the first time in a decade later that year if a court ordered a by-election near his home town.

[9] Anwar Ibrahim on 31 July 2008 said he would contest a by-election for the parliamentary seat of Permatang Pauh vacated by his wife to expedite his return to political office.

His wife Wan Azizah said she handed her letter of resignation to the parliament speaker on Thursday 31 July.

[2] Anwar Ibrahim was charged on 7 August 2008 for sodomy under Section 377B of the Penal Code, fueling speculations over a possible conspiracy on the part of the Malaysian government to derail his election campaign.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak admitted the ruling party was the underdog: "It is going to be an uphill task but nothing is impossible in politics.

"[15] Malaysia's government and ruling coalition declared defeat in a landslide victory in by-election by Anwar Ibrahim.