Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has ridiculed his former party Umno for being afraid to contest in the upcoming by-election for the Penanti state seat in Penang.

anwar ibrahim nizar jamaluddin lim kit siang perak ceramah in pj 130509 04 Calling the party "yellow", the PKR supremo said Umno might sponsor independent candidates to challenge the PKR candidate Mansor Othman.

"This has yet to be ascertained, but whatever it is Pakatan will continue working hard to face the elections," he added.

Speaking to reporters after addressing some 5,000 supporters in Taman Medan last night, Anwar accused Umno of lacking the guts to do battle and face the voters.

He also dismissed the reasons provided by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as to why Umno would not contest .

anwar ibrahim ceramah at taman medan 190509 02 "In whatever circumstances, if there is a vacancy (in a particular constituency), Pakatan Rakyat will leave it to the people to decide," he said.

"This is a trick (by Umno) because the party always claims to be strong and relevant."

Najib: Opposition ploy

Yesterday, the Barisan Nasional council decided not to contest in the Penanti polls, which was called following the resignation of PKR incumbent and former Penang deputy chief minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

najib on kuala terengganu by election 060109 03 Talking to reporters after the two-hour meeting, Najib said the Penanti seat did not become vacant as necessitated by law but due to PKR wanting to resolve its internal problems.

"The vacancy is also because of a political game by the opposition. BN's focus is on serving the people and reviving the nation's economy. Thus, we decided not to field a candidate," he said.

He also denied that the ruling coalition was afraid of being defeated in the state seat, which falls under Anwar's Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.

The Malay-majority area is regarded as the opposition leader's fortress.

Perak needs fresh polls

Just hours after BN had ruled itself out of contesting, a local businessman put himself up for the running as an independent candidate.

Mohd Saberi Othman, 49, said his candidacy was inspired by grassroots demand in Penanti, which is his hometown.

Former PKR state women's chief Aminah Abdullah had unveiled her plan to contest as an independent candidate a month ago.

sultan azlan zambry abdul kadir nizar jamaluddin perak state govt crisis 030309 Speaking at the ceramah on the Perak crisis earlier, Anwar once again reiterated the need for the state assembly to be dissolved in order for the people to vote for the government of their choice.

He said while Pakatan respects the palace, the decision on the political impasse should be made by the people and not the palace.

"(If a fresh election is held), we are confident of winning big because the people want change," he added.

Speaking at the ceramah on the Perak crisis earlier, Anwar couldn't help himself to mock BN for its decision to stay out of the Penanti by-election.

“This is a good decision, we want to see BN also not contest in the Perak state election when the state assembly is dissolved,” said Anwar.

Perak has been in turmoil since February when BN staged a political coup and the palace ordered the Pakatan menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and his excos to resign.