Efforts are underway to have international observers present during the next general election in 2008, said former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

There have been commitments from several countries and international organisations to help the deployment of these observers, he told a press conference yesterday at the sidelines of Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) national congress in Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar, who is PKR adviser, said the observers are needed due to the escalating complaints of election irregularities.

"Insya'Allah (God willing), by 2008 I am certain that we would have an international team to observe the elections.

"I would advise the government to accept this early before pressure from the international community sets in," he added.

Anwar said he was aware of the possibility that the government and Election Commission (EC) would not give the green light for this.

"But they must have a real good reason (to reject). Unless they can be completely transparent and ensure that the elections are free from allegations (of fraud). But this is not the case here."

"From the reports from Pengkalan Pasir (by- election), we came across allegations of phantom voters where even the deceased had voted. This is especially serious because these phantom voters can determine the difference in terms of majority. They (the government and EC) have a lot to answer," he added.

Something to hide?

Anwar said the government and EC should not reject the presence of international observers since the practice was successful in other countries including Turkey and Indonesia.

"Why is the Malaysian government afraid to allow international observers to monitor? Is there something to hide?" he asked.

In his speech earlier, Anwar had also touched on his efforts to get international observers in order to appease frustrated delegates who had called for a boycott of the elections.

"We will do our best to ensure victory. We will strengthen our financial standing, we will bring in international observers...in the meantime you have to do your part to increase the divisions and members of the party and God willing we will succeed!" he said.

After the 2004 general election, opposition parties claimed that their dismal showing was mainly due to electoral frauds.

The latest allegations surfaced during the Dec 6 Pengkalan Pasir by-election in Kelantan, where Barisan Nasional candidate Hanafi Mamat defeated PAS candidate Hanifa Mat Yatim by a 134 majority.

PAS was leading by three votes but postal votes later secured a victory for the ruling coalition.

The attempts by local independent election observer Mafrel (Malaysia for free and fair election) to monitor the by-election had failed.

Following its defeat, PAS said it will challenge the result in court.