I refer to Malaysiakini report Rivals: Anwar in for a 'helluva' fight.

There are a lot of negative forces working extremely very hard to see the fall of Anwar Ibtrahim. For good.

As expected, Umno leaders have put in place unparalleled strategies and designs to do their utmost to reduce the majority obtained by his wife Wan Azizah at Permatang Pauh in the last general election on March 8.

Perhaps that would be possible if the voter turnout drops to less than 80 percent of the total number of registered voters. But if the Penang government declares polling date a public holiday as is largely anticipated, than the turnout will be even higher than on March 8.

There are many prophets of doom declaring that Anwar’s or Umno’s chances of winning this by-election is at 50/50. This is nonsense!

The popularity of Anwar is even now more than ever on the rise. Umno’s handling of the so-called second sodomy case against Anwar has disillusioned the rakyat with its crude and cruel manoeuvers of a fabricated case.

The world has become a witness to it. It has left a trail of lurid and ludicrous evidence which is only points an incriminating finger to Umno and the police. With this, Anwar is not only securing more and more of the popular vote but a huge number of sympathy votes as well.

Even with all the Umno members voting for Umno’s candidate Arif Shah, he may only get about 17,000 votes judging from last election results where Pirdaus Ismail obtained only 16,950 votes and Wan Azizah obtaining 30,338 votes.

By this analysis, Anwar should obtain no less than 35,000 votes even with a full government- backed Umno machinery working round the clock with all its gimmicks, treats and money thrown in.

We hope to see a fair-play with a free and fair election for both candidates. The Election Commission has to ensure this with the full cooperation of the police.

Internationally, Anwar is the most popular Malaysian not only in the Muslim world but both in the West and East as well. In fact the world, like all Malaysians, is looking forward to Anwar assuming leadership of this country so as to take it out from its rut of corruption, injustice, neglect of the poor of all races etc.

Only one thing can destroy him and the nation - his death. We expect the police to be neutral and give him the necessary protection from the death threats he has received. This is necessary to avoid from having the country plunge into chaos and further misery.

The people and his supporters must protect him on his campaign trail besides knocking on the door of every voter in the constituency for votes which is what Umno/BN will be doing with their ‘goodies’.

So let the good and God-fearing people take care of him and get the votes for him for the good future of this country. And prophets of doom please, stop harping on the chances of Anwar winning.

He WILL win with a higher majority than Wan Azizah God bless him and the nation.