PERMATANG PAUH, August 26, 2008 (AFP) - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday won a by-election to return to parliament with a big majority, according to the final tally.

Election Commission figures said Anwar won 31,195 votes against 15,524 for the candidate from the Barisan Nasional coalition, and 92 for a third candidate from a small Islamic party.

There were some 58,459 eligible voters in the constituency of Permatang Pauh in Anwar's home state of Penang.