PKR candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is on “cloud nine” as he received support, not only from his hardcore supporters, but also certain foreign leaders.

In his speech after the nomination day, the PKR de facto leader openly told audiences that he had received support from former Indonesia president Abdul Rahman Wahid (Gus Dur), and two former Philippines presidents Estrada and Corazon Aquino.

To show the extend of the support, the party held a special press conference for the “axed-Indonesian-president” at PKR’s headquarters on Monday.

Besides the tremendous show of support, Gus Dur also claimed that he represented millions of Nahdatul Ulama party members who are praying for Anwar’s victory in the by-election.

He also expressed his opinion that Anwar’s former aide and coffee boy’s mubahalah was not in accordance with Islam and has never been used.

However, the support received is tainted as those who pledged their backing had questionable reputations.

Gus Dur was expelled as the president and members of Indonesian parliament for impeachment and was shadowed by scandals including abused of power, corruption and most of all his sexual escapade.

Following the expulsion, his vice-president Megawati Sukarnoputri took over the post.

Meanwhile, Estrada who according to Anwar had expressed his support, was expelled and jailed because of corruption.

These are the facts that must be taken account. Anwar received support from axed-leaders whose reputations were not only questionable but tarnished.

Anwar himself had a “questionable” background when he was expelled not only from his government post but from UMNO.

On the claims made by Gus Dur, the mubahalah was against Islam, the local ulama’ have a different view. Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin and former Kedah Mufti Datuk Paduka Sheikh Abdul Majid Mohd. Noor accepted Saiful’s move as part of Islamic legal tradition.

And as it appeared that only leaders who have tarnished reputations are supporting Anwar.