Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim faces one of the sternest tests of his tumultuous political career in coming days, as the deadline he has set to seize power approaches.
The former deputy premier will also be summoned to court on Wednesday for a hearing that could launch a new trial on sodomy accusations -- the same charge that saw him sacked and jailed a decade ago.
Anwar has pulled off a string of spectacular successes in recent months, including snatching a third of parliamentary seats in March general elections, and recapturing the seat he lost after his fall from grace in 1998.
But despite disarray in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, there are doubts that the 61-year-old maverick can achieve his new goal of toppling the government by September 16 with the help of defecting lawmakers.