Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Friday that he was confident of leading the opposition to take over the government by mid-September, despite having to fight off fresh sodomy charges.

Anwar, who was charged Thursday with sodomizing a former male aide, said an "adequate number" of government lawmakers have pledged to cross over once he re-enters parliament through a by-election at the end of the month.

"The range is comfortable with the possibility of forming the government," the opposition leader said.

"We will have adequate numbers," he said at a media conference in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The former deputy prime minister led a three-party opposition to make major gains during March 8 elections, where the ruling National Front coalition lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority along with control of five of Malaysia's 13 states.

The coalition currently has a 30-seat majority in the 222-member Parliament.

Anwar announced on July 31 that he would be contesting in a by-election on August 26 in the northern Permatang Pauh constituency, which was vacated by his wife, in his bid to return to parliament.

Expressing confidence in victory, Anwar said he was also "mindful of the dirty tactics" he claimed were being deployed by the government to try and sway voters.

He said he was confident voters in the constituency would not be swayed by the sodomy allegations, which he claims are fabricated to topple his political ambitions.

A 23-year old male aide lodged a report alleging that Anwar had sodomized him in June.

Anwar has said he was being framed by top officials in the police force as well as the government, who were attempting to stop him from re-entering parliament.

Anwar pledged that a new government formed under his leadership would promise all citizens their rights.

"Gross abuse of executive powers shall be a thing of the past," he said.

"We are doing a service to the country. The country needs to change."

This is not the first time that Anwar, 61, has had to face sodomy allegations. He was fired by former mentor and ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 amid accusations of sodomy and corruption.

Anwar was convicted of both charges, but was later freed of the sodomy charge. He was released from prison in 2004, and still maintains that he was a victim of a political conspiracy.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Anwar appealed to the prosecution to drop the fresh sodomy charges against him, saying that he had strong evidence to prove his innocence.

"Please, give me a break. I've gone through hell already," he said. "Let me go on with my life." (dpa)