Now that a by-election battle is on for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, let Ezam Mohd Nor take on his former mentor Anwar Ibrahim if the former is brave enough - this is the gauntlet thrown down by Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to Umno today.

"We in PKR are requesting Umno to let Ezam contest against Anwar in Permatang Pauh because this will bring a new wave in national politics," Khalid ( below , centre ) told reporters in Shah Alam during a meet-the-media session.

"If he (Ezam) is brave enough, this is the right time," he added.

khalid ibrahim selangor mb pc 310708 03 Ezam, the former PKR youth chief who returned to Umno’s fold on May 28 , had previously piped up that he would be willing to contest against Anwar in any by-election adding that he would fight Anwar 'till the end'.

Prior to this, Anwar had set his eyes on the Kulim Bandar-Baru parliamentary seat but today decided on Permatang Pauh due to ‘possible delays in the court decision’ over an election petition for the Kedah seat.

Permatang Pauh was until this afternoon held by his wife and parliamentary opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who announced her decision to vacate the seat to pave the way for a by-election at a 3pm press conference.

Asked on Ezam’s chances of winning at Permatang Pauh if he were to contest, Khalid, with a smile playing on his lips, replied: "Let him contest first, then we will see."

Wan Azizah’s sacrifice

Khalid, who is Bandar Tun Razak MP, said Anwar's strategical diversion – from Kulim Bandar Baru to Permatang Pauh – was expected.

"This is part of the strategy to look at the impact because I know before this, Bandar Tun Razak and Kulim were the two seats on everyone's mind," said Khalid.

anwar ibrahim arrest wan azizah parliament 160708 02 Khalid also thanked and congratulated Wan Azizah ( right) for vacating her seat for Anwar.

"We are grateful to her for her willingness to vacate her seat and we feel that she has made a huge sacrifice for all of us," said Khalid.

"We also feel that she has shown her maturity in fighting for truth and justice and we thank her for her contributions," he added.

Khalid, however, hoped that Wan Azizah would not disappear from the nation’s political radar and would continue tp fight for justice.

"We are hoping that Wan Azizah will stay together with us and the country in the struggle to find justice and democracy," he said.

Khalid also described Anwar's latest decision as ‘the first step to be part of the party that will rule the country".