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alaysia’s former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim boasted increasing support for next year’s election but feared suspected irregularities by the government could derail his prospects of victory.

“Some voters have had difficulties in registering. Others have registered at Pinang Island only to find that their polling stations are in Selangor. There was also a case of voters disappearing,” Anwar, 64, said upon his arrival in Bandung on Sunday.

Several policies that Anwar perceives as tactical maneuvers by the government include an official rejection to use black ink, which is normally used in voting processes in other countries, and the barring of citizens based overseas from exercising their right to vote.

“They say it would be unpractical and difficult. If Indonesia can do it, why can’t we?” Anwar asked.

Anwar served as deputy to former prime minister Mahathir Muhammad, from 1993 to 1998.

In 1999, he was sentenced to six years in prison for alleged corruption, and in 2000, to another nine years over sodomy charges.

The Federal Court reversed the second conviction in 2004, which led to his release. However, he was arrested again in July 2008 over allegations he sodomized one of his male aides, before being acquitted in January this year.

While accusing local media of
siding with the authorities, Anwar said he would continue his campaign for change as part of a winning strategy.

He said he had drawn up his development framework in his Buku Jingga, or Violet Book.

The book, according to Anwar, carries several important points including an affirmation about the use of Malay as the official language, the maintenance of Malay and indigenous peoples’ rights and not to interfere with the Malay kingdom’s sovereignty.

“We promote an affirmative public economy that heeds people’s fate. Economic and finance ministers have been obsessed with growth and investment but they have failed to prioritize people’s welfare. For me, an even distribution of economic benefits is important,” he said.

The following day, on Monday, Anwar delivered a speech at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

While acknowledging his discomfort with the current bureaucracy, Anwar expressed his optimism about claiming victory in the election.

“I’m optimistic about people’s support,” he said after speaking at a national gathering organized by the Islamic Students’ Association.

Anwar claimed his support base had increased since he was acquitted on Jan. 9.

However, Anwar, whose past political career included an eight-year stint as finance minister, said his burgeoning support would mean nothing if the election reeked of irregularities.

“We must ensure freedom and justice prevails in the election. There should be no manipulation. The government should not use the election to cheat people,” he said.