Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said that the government could fall by December, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

Anwar has insisted he had won over enough defectors from the government to form a new administration.

Anwar’s move to set a new deadline on December 8 comes after Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi announced this week that he will not stand in a party election next year, effectively handing over to his deputy Najib Razak.

"We have built our base to go forward, if it (taking power) does not happen this week or next week, it can possibly happen before Eid Al Adha festival," Anwar told the Berita Harian newspaper.

"On the way it will be done, I can't say. We will choose the peaceful way," Anwar, who was touring the northeastern state of Kelantan, said.


The Muslim festival of Eid Al Adha is expected to take place on December 8.