Anwar is unfazed at the prospect of going head-on against his former confidant Ezam Mohd Noor in a by-election, possibly in Kedah's Kulim-Bandar Baharu.

anwar ibrahim saiful bukhari sodomy allegation medical report pc 290708 05 Speaking to reporters at the PKR headquarters this morning, Anwar appeared nonchalant when asked about the possible face-off with his former protege.

Ezam has yesterday vowed to take Anwar on in a by-election, providing that his new party Umno would let him do so.

The ex-PKR Youth chief who had re-joined Umno in May also vouched that he had secrets to reveal on his former political mentor.

Anwar, however, did not seem to be troubled by this.

"Let him speak to Utusan Malaysia and (New) Straits Times ," he added cheekily, referring to the two newspapers controlled by Umno.

The PKR leader was also tightlipped on his preparations for the possible by-election.

bandar kulim bharu kedah parliament seat results 180708 "I have got reports that the constituency is good. I am confident with Kulim-Bandar Baharu because it is also close to where I originally come from," he said.

Kulim-Bandar Baharu borders Anwar's former seat of Permatang Pauh, now held by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

He vowed he was ready to face the might of Umno machinery in the by-election.

"Yes, I am aware that by having a by-election, you will have the entire Umno and party machinery (against you).

"(I heard) their entire ‘tractors' (election machinery) from Peninsular (Malaysia) have now started to move to Kulim," he quipped.

According to Anwar, he has full support from Pakatan Rakyat leaders in the upcoming contest.

"After discussing it with PKR leaders, (Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP) Zulkifli Nordin, (PAS leader) Hadi Awang, (Kedah mentri besar) Azizan Razak, (DAP leader) Lim Kit Siang, (Penang chief minister) Lim Guan Eng, they have given very, very encouraging words and their commitment (to fight the by-election)."

Asked whether he will definitely be contesting in Kulim-Bandar Bharu instead of Bandar Tun Razak (in Kuala Lumpur), Anwar replied that a decision has already been made to go for the Kedah seat.

However, it is not known when the court will make a decision on the Kulim-Bandar Baharu poll petition. Initially the court was scheduled to hear the petition earlier this month, but this has now been put off to Aug 19.

If the hearing is again postponed, Anwar may have to wait a little longer or look for another seat to contest.

Sept 16 crossovers still on track

anwar ibrahim saiful bukhari sodomy allegation medical report pc 290708 03 The opposition leader is nevertheless confident that he would meet the self-imposed Sept 16 deadline where he had previously declared that a new government would be formed.

"Churchill said that one week in politics is a long time. So much can change within a day...," said Anwar, who has time and again argued he would have enough defectors by that deadline.

On former Perak mentri besar Tajol Rosli's offer to PAS to form a joint state government with Umno, Anwar reiterated his views on the Umno-PAS talks.

"Umno is desperate, it is a sinking ship. They have no choice but to appeal and beg for support."

He also noted the change in terminology in the talks between the two political rivals.

"It is now ‘muqabalah' no longer ‘muzakarah'. (It's) important in terms of epistemology - ‘muzakarah' means discussion, where else ‘muqabalah' is to state your stance.

"But I am very much in communication with Hadi Awang ... and we have found (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat)'s statement on the issue very fair, and Hadi has made very clear to me that there's no question of leaving Pakatan."