I refer to the Malaysiakini report Win boosts Pakatan's ambition .

The convincing victory during Saturday’s by-election for the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance when they wrested the parliamentary seat of Kuala Terengganu from the incumbent could well be the ‘renaissance of 916` for Anwar Ibrahim to manoeuvre his political one-upmanship to take over the federal government following the unsuccessful bid to do so on Sept 16 (916) last year.

The outcome of the by-election is of no surprise but the opposition performed better than expected with a majority of 2,631 votes for PAS. It is seen as a catalyst to bring down the BN government in the shortest possible time before the next general election.

Although the result is a far cry from the anti-government landslide result of the Permatang Pauh by-election in September last year and the political tsunami in March last year, it is irrefutably a humiliating loss to BN and a major blow to the prime minister-in-waiting Najib Razak.

He has failed to gain the confidence of the people and the credentials he desperately needs to take over the reign in March this year when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi steps down.

The opposition win will not change the government but it is of grave concern to Najib in that not only has the Anwar-led PR opposition alliance made a significant inroad into the BN heartland, but that the ripples of the aftermath of the March 2008 tsunami is not waning but waxing.

The KT by-election outcome is an early warning to the BN that there is a second wave of tsunami seen on the horizon, unstoppable, powerful and fast approaching to bring annihilation upon the government either at the next general election or sooner.

BN’s desperate campaign exploiting the hudud issue and the perception of the opposition alliance’s disunity on this issue had dramatically backfired. Even Ezam Mohd Noor revelation of an obsolete 10-year-old confidential letter on Anwar failed to have any purpose.

There were incidents of government vote-buying and coercion as campaigning intensified but these did not turn the people away from voting for the opposition.

The by-election win for the opposition has added credence and acceptance in convincing and enticing more BN MPs cross-over to the opposition because it showed that the PR opposition alliance is united with cohesive efforts from both PKR and DAP in putting all resources to help PAS to win this election.

This despite disagreements and debates though these are part and parcel of a liberal democracy. The win has strengthened the opposition alliance, showing them as a united and credible alternative to form the next federal government with Anwar Ibrahim as the next PM - the only hope for reform and to bring a new dawn to Malaysia.

The people have also resoundingly rejected Abdullah’s plan to step down in March, giving an easy ride for Najib to take over the helm. Malaysians are disappointed with Abdullah for abandoning the ship amid the global financial crisis.

The people are also doubtful of Najib with many allegations of corruption made against him and the mystery of the Altantuya murder case hanging over his head.

Anwar has been consistent, calm, steadfast and immutable in his message of hope to bring sweeping reforms to Malaysia by implementing the Malaysian Economic Agenda which embraces economic empowerment and social justice. It is a blueprint germinated from the book The Asian Renaissance he wrote more than 10 years ago.

With the Malaysian Economic Agenda, Anwar promises to bring a new era of just, progressive and long-term economic prosperity to Malaysia for all Malaysians regardless of race and religion and the right to equality in opportunity and treatment for all especially the poor and the needy.

The Pakatan Rakyat alliance must remain united, effective and strong and the sooner it forms the government with Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister of Malaysia, the better it speaks for all Malaysians.