PKR leaders are rather evasive about their preparations for the coming general elections, preferring to keep mum or issue cryptic replies when asked.

It is learnt that this is to deter opponents from getting ahead in the planning for the coming polls, which could possibly be held this year.

When met at the party's Hari Raya open house yesterday, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the Pakatan Rakyat leadership have a consensus not to reveal information regarding the election or the list of candidates for state or parliamentary seats.

anwar open house at penang 200812 04 Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, said the leadership was still working on the list but declined to elaborate on what were the issues holding back the endorsement of certain candidates.

When asked if the list would only be publicised on nomination day, Anwar was non-committal, saying "perhaps earlier".

Anwar, the Permatang Pauh MP, was also asked if he would defend his seat. At least this drew a definite answer. "it's a known fact," he replied.

Success despite attacks

When asked to speculate on the date of the coming polls, Anwar jokingly told reporters to refer to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who met with Prime Minister Najib Razak at his open house in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Lim, who came to the event, held in Guar Perahu, with his wife Betty Chew and their youngest son, declined to issue any statements on the matter.

On whether there was any possibility that Pakatan states would delay dissolving their respective state assemblies should Najib call for an election before the end of the year, Anwar lamented "We are all tired already".

anwar open house at penang 200812 03 "However, we will continue to work (for the election)," he said, after going round the venue to shake hands with a steady stream of multi-racial supporters who turned up at the do, from 12pm to 5pm despite the intermittent rain.

On chances of repeating its 2008 victory, where Pakatan swept 29 state seats to form the state government, Anwar said "Penang is a success story".

"And this is despite all the attacks by opponents against the chief minister. The public knows what he has done for Penang," he added, at the event which was jointly organised by Penang Deputy Chief Minister and state PKR chief Mansor Othman.

However, when he was told that BN had expressed confidence that Umno could sweep about 15 seats, while Gerakan and MCA would take eight, Anwar shot back "that is BN's infomation".

 Thousands attended

Thousands, including foreign tourists, attended the open house celebration, with Pakatan leaders all decked in colourful batik shirts and baju melayu.

Penang governor Abdul Rahman Abbas and his wife also graced the event at about 4pm.

Anwar's entourage, which included PKR president Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had a special guest along with them - retired former chief of army Hashim Hussein, who is believed to have expressed support for the party.

anwar open house at penang 200812 02 Anwar appeared to be in the pink of health, and was grinning from ear to ear, after several Indian supporters garlanded him with flowers, posing by his side to show their support.

A group claiming to be former Makkal Sakti and Hindraf leaders but have recently joined PKR later came to request a meeting with Mansor, also the Penanti assemblyman, to get his involvement in their activities.

"We want to help get nationwide Indian votes and support for PKR," former Hindraf information chief SV Valen told Malaysiakini .