A local Malay NGO has expressed surprise that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has rejected what it calls "a golden opportunity" for a public debate with controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

NONE The Penang Malay Congress (PMC) said Anwar's rejection of the proposal to debate with Raja Petra has raised questions among the Malays, who see it as his fear of confronting with the blogger.

''What is so special about RPK that Anwar has become a clown, who has lost his sting while he is a political leader?'' PMC president Rahmad Isahak asked.

''Those who are rational are bound to see that Anwar's refusal to debate is linked to the personal feud between them,'' Rahmad said.

However, he said, the feud may have nothing to do with the country's political scenario.

Anwar, he added, should use the Wikileaks forum to ''strengthen'' his political position as the general election is drawing near.

''By hiding and dragging the entire nation into this dilemma is not a good way of doing things and may lead to a drop in the support for Anwar and his friends in Pakatan Rakyat,'' Rahmad said.

Anwar labelled 'a chicken'

Raja Petra has labelled Anwar "a chicken" after the MP for Permatang Pauh reportedly asked that he be excluded from a forum scheduled to take place in Kent.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has described the former deputy prime minister's refusal to debate with Raja Petra as " inconsistent " with his actions.

In response, Anwar has denied he tried to force his once die-hard supporter out of the forum with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Rahmad also called on Anwar not to play with foreign publicity while hoping for the support of the rakyat in his own homeland.

He said Malaysians were ''too fatigued to continue to entertain'' the ongoing problems Anwar was bringing up time after time.

''Can PKR withstand the onslaught of the 13th general election while this is going on?'' he asked.

''We feel it is better that Anwar helps the Malays in Penang. For example, what have we benefited from PKR since Pakatan took over the state in 2008?''

Rahmad challenged Anwar to clarify logically why he rejected the debate with RPK, for this would be necessary for the people to judge his true character as the one of the country's top leaders.