Anwar Ibrahim, hope of Malaysia

The state of Malaysia seems corrupt to the bone. It's a lumbering inelegant attempt to replicate the nimble little authoritarian state to its south. Malaysia's English newspapers are so severely censored that they are almost unreadable. The previous government threatened bloggers.

Perhaps change is finally at hand. Democracy and human rights have no greater friend among Southeast Asia politicians than Anwar Ibrahim. And this man now leads Malaysia's largest multiracial opposition party:

Anwar's party, known by its Malay acronym PKR, increased its tally in Parliament to 31 seats — up from the one held by his wife. The victors included Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah, 27.

Two PKR allies, the ethnic Chinese-based Democratic Action Party and the religious Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party or PAS, won 28 and 23 seats respectively.

Analysts say Malaysia's political landscape has changed so radically that the opposition coalition could even win the next elections, which would put Anwar in line for the prime minister's post.

Anwar said the results exploded Malaysia's race-based political structure, under which parties have traditionally represented individual ethnic groups.

"The opposition that has been voted in is a truly multi-racial party. It is a fantastic setup," he said.

"I will help the Malays, but it will be done justly, and in the same breath I will help the Indians and the Chinese."

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IHT and NASDAQ