The controversy surrounding the termination of Selangor State Economic Development Corporation (PKNS) contract staff will not affect Pakatan Rakyat's campaign in the upcoming Kajang by-election, said Anwar Ibrahim.

He added that after obtaining clarifications from Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and the affected staff’s representative Alif Aiman Abdullah, he believes that the issue has nothing to do with the feud between Khalid and Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali.

"I checked all the media, including TV3, and discovered that Khalid never mentioned or referred to Azmin. This is an issue of corporate administration," he told reporters.

Anwar, who would be contesting the state seat in the May 23 by-election, claimed that the  Khalid versus Azmin issue was being played by the Umno-owned media.

The opposition leader also said that he would discuss with all the parties involved to find an amicable solution.

"We have to be careful of the Umno media. Khalid never attacked (Azmin). Don’t react to media that peddle lies. I would prefer to focus on the staff (involved) and handle the matter," he added.

Last Tuesday, PKNS subsidiary, PKNS Holdings, gave an immediate marching order for 20 contract staff.

The sacking came amid the internal wrangling between Khalid and Azmin's camps.

Yesterday, Khalid said the contract staff, who were drawing astronomical salaries, were redundant.

The staff were also said to have been hired without interviews with the agreement of the PKNS board of directors, of which Khalid and Azmin are members.

Meanwhile, Azmin said that Khalid should retract the termination and apologise to the staff involved.