PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim is adamant about staying out of the contest for the post of president at the upcoming party elections.

He thanks the divisions that nominated him, but added that he will not reconsider his decision that he announced on Sept 14.

NONE "This is my final stand. I am not ready to reconsider it,” he said at an open house in Guar Perahu, Penang, today.

Anwar said he had very strong reasons not to contest the position, since his spouse Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had led the party since its founding in 1999.

“This is not just an understanding inside the party. DAP and PAS also recognise her role in strengthening Pakatan Rakyat,” he added.

Anwar added that he will continue to consolidate the opposition alliance as a party advisor if he is given the mandate to do so.

‘I was never president’

“Some Umno media keep nominating me as the president. Thank you, but it is quite strange,” Anwar said tongue in cheek.

He clarified that the divisions that had elected him were probably unclear about his intentions, and wanted to give him a chance to change his mind.

“Someone asked about my role; I  have never held the post of president, but PKR and Pakatan were still able to conquer the peninsular in 2008,” he added.

Earlier this week Anwar announced on his blog that he was not participating in the upcoming party elections, despite numerous endorsements from PKR leaders like outgoing deputy president Syed Husin Ali and Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.       

Despite his insistence, Tasek Gelugor, Kampar, Rembau, Parit and Arau divisions have so far nominated the de factor opposition leader for the president’s post.