From:
Date: 29 Nov 1999
Time: 19:25:26
Anwar's wife wins seat in Malaysia polls
PERMATANG PAUH, Malaysia, Nov 29 (AFP) - The wife of jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim won her seat in Malaysia's general election Monday, live television showed.
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, making her political debut as head of the opposition National Justice Party, defeated the candidate from the ruling National Front in Anwar's old seat here in northern Penang state.
"This is a vote against the ruling elite," she told reporters, speaking before the result had been officially announced.
"I'm very happy yet sad because I wish my husband were around. I'm very grateful to the voters for this is a victory for the people."
Anwar was spending election night in a cell at Sungai Buloh. It was not clear whether he knew of his wife's triumph.
"I also believe the people have raised their concern about corruption and abuse of power," said Wan Azizah, who arrived at the vote counting centre to shouts of "Reformasi" (Reform) from hundreds of supporters.
"The Anwar factor helped me to victory."
Wan Azizah secured a majority of 9,077 against the National Front's Ibrahim Saad, a former close friend of her husband.