Those who have slammed PKR for wasting public funds by willfully triggering a by-election in Kajang should encourage the BN not to contest, said PAS supreme council member Khalid Samad.

He said this is because spending would only be required if there is a contest for the state seat when nominations close on March 11.

"Incumbent assemblyperson Lee Chin Cheh's (right) resignation did not cost a sen and when PKR announced that Anwar Ibrahim would be its candidate, no one had to fork out a single sen,” he said in Kampung Sungai Kantan, Kajang, last night.

"Public funds will only need to be spent if there is a contest, that is if the BN decides to  go against Anwar. So those who complain about waste of public funds should tell the BN not to place a candidate and give PKR free passage."

In any case, he said, Kajang voters had chosen Lee in the 13th general election last May not because they know him personally but because he had contested under the PKR banner.

This was met with hoots of agreement by the more than 200 people scattered on the perimeter of the public field.

Although the BN has yet to mention names, it has said it will field a candidate for the polls scheduled for March 23.

Lawyer-turned-politician Zaid Ibrahim has announced his intention to contest as an Independent, as has anti-Anwar activist Yuktes Vijay.

NewGen Party, a party founded by former PKR leader S Gobikrishnan, is also keen to join the fray.

Khalid, who is also Shah Alam MP, further took to task those who have urged PAS to place its nominee as Selangor menteri besar.

"(Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad) says PAS is more qualified to hold (the) post. When did he become a PAS supporter? Even in his old age he wants to be a batu api (instigator)," he quipped.

"The matter of wresting the MB’s seat is not part of our agenda ...We welcome Anwar onto the Selangor political stage because we know the BN is now planning its strategy (to topple the state)."

Anwar's Freudian slip

While PAS may not have the MB’s post in mind, the same cannot be said for Anwar.

Often appearing diffident as to whether his bid to enter the Selangor legislative assembly is actually to take over as MB, his intention may have popped out in a Freudian slip yesterday.

Commenting on Mahathir's remarks against his candidacy, he said: "What is he so afraid of? It's only the Selangor MB’s post, um, it's only Selangor."

"This is our anticipation," he quickly said, explaining the slip of tongue.

Although the turnout in Kampung Sungai Kantan appeared sparse compared to what Anwar usually commands on the ceramah trail, the PKR de facto leader created quite a buzz when he arrived.

Eschewing the provided chairs to sit on the ground with attendees, he was surrounded by residents equipped with smart phones and tablets hoping for a snapshot.

Kampung Sungai Kantan is a BN stronghold, with PKR having garnered about 800 votes from some 1,200 mainly Malay voters in the polling district.

Campaigning in the area will be spearheaded by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

Reflecting Selangor's demographics, 48 percent of the Kajang voters are Malay, followed by Chinese (41 percent) and Indian (10 percent).