If the Election Commission is so concerned about the expenditure that will be incurred in holding the Kajang by-election, then ‘the BN should not contest’.

Saying this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim - who is to contest the state seat - said the BN should instead “let PKR continue our work” in Selangor.

At a press conference in party headquarters today, he also denied that he would replace Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor menteri besar if he wins.

He continued to dismiss such talk as "speculation and rumour".

"At the moment", he said, he is focused on retaining the seat for PKR and "helping the state government in any way possible".

Anwar further said it is “premature” to talk about his divided responsibilities as Opposition Leader, a parliamentarian and now, possibly a state assembly representative.

"We will discuss about that. Now we will focus on the election," he said.

He added that his decision to contest should not be linked to the spat between Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali and Abdul Khalid, saying this is only a "small problem" and "not a major problem".

PKR’s Lee Chin Cheh had resigned abruptly from the Kajang seat yesterday, claiming that it was done for "Pakatan Rakyat's collective interest".