Malaysia sets Aug 26 for Anwar by-election

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's Election Commission said on Wednesday that a by-election, which will give leading opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim a shot at returning to parliament, will be held on Aug 26.

The seat came vacant after Anwar's wife quit to allow him to stand in a move that will allow him to lead an opposition coalition in parliament.

Anwar has pledged to call a confidence vote in the UMNO-led government on Sept. 16 and to win the vote will he need 30 defections from government MPs.