(Islam Online) - Taking the oath after his triumphant comeback to parliament, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim opened his salvoes at the embattled government on Thursday, August 28, vowing to unseat it democratically.

"The prime minister has lost the mandate of the country and the nation," Anwar told a press conference shortly after he was sworn in, reported Agence France Presse (AFP).

The former deputy premier and leader of the opposition party Keadilan swept by-election in his northern home state of Penang on Tuesday.

"I am glad to be back after a decade," Anwar, dressed in a dark blue traditional Malay shirt, said after the oath-taking ceremony.

"I really feel vindicated. I feel great."

The 61-year-old politician has returned to politics this year after a decade-long political exile.

Anwar, who was the heir-apparent to then premier Mahathir Mohamad, was jailed on alleged sodomy and corruption charges in 1998.

He remained in jail until 2004 when the sodomy conviction was overturned.

An embolden Anwar is vowing to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi and become the next prime minister by a self-imposed deadline of September 16.

In order to call a confidence vote, the opposition needs the backing of 30 legislators from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to get a majority in the 222-member parliament.

Asked after the ceremony if his plan was still on track, Anwar answered: "Yes".

Tsunami vs. Titanic

As he entered the parliament's main chamber, Anwar was greeted with applause from the opposition benches, which were almost full.

The silent government benches were less than half full.

"I would like to welcome the member for Permatang Pauh who is back in the house after a second political tsunami," said Lim Kit Siang of the Chinese Democratic Action Party, a member of the three-member opposition alliance.

Lim, the former opposition leader, said Anwar's comeback triggers a tsunami warning to the government.

"The government is like the Titanic which is going to sink."

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, Premier Abdullah's heir, has described the by-election as "a titanic struggle."

The March elections saw the opposition gain control of five states and a third of parliamentary seats, in the worst ever setback for the Barisan Nasional coalition which has ruled Malaysia for half a century.

The deepening political turmoil has forced Abdullah, who assumed office in 2003, to confirm stepping down in 2010.

But Anwar's triumphant is putting more pressures on the embattled premier to go earlier.

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