VIDEO | 9 mins

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today reiterated that he will retire from active politics if Pakatan Rakyat does not win the national election.

Speaking to reporters in Johor Bahru today, Anwar said he would "take a back seat" in opposition politics, but still lend his support when necessary.

NONE He said that he might also take up offers to teach in various European institutions, as teaching has always been a passion for him.  

Thus far, Anwar had publicly spoke about such an exit plan at least on two occasions since last year.

Anwar, now 65, has been an opposition icon since 1998 when he was sacked as deputy premier for alleged sodomy and corruption charges. His conviction for sodomy were eventually overturned.

In the 2008 general election, he mounted a strong campaign nationwide, contributing to BN losing its grip over two-thirds of the Parliamentary seats, a first since 1969.

With control over the media and government machinery as well as favourable electoral boundaries, BN is heavily favoured to retain its position as the federal government, held since 1957.

However, there are those who believe that the obvious urban groundswell of discontent against BN may just give the Pakatan Rakyat coalition enough seats to govern.

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