Ezam Mohd Nor, once protege and now adversary of Anwar Ibrahim, has declared that his former boss is not a warrior and that he would oppose him to uphold the truth.

The former PKR Youth leader and now Umno member told a ceremah in Shah Alam last night that Anwar was not a warrior because he chose to contest in Permatang Pauh, regarded as the safest seat for him.

"All along, the people thought that Anwar was a genuine warrior but he has now shown his true colours. If he is a warrior indeed, why should he be hiding in a safe place and invite people to challenge him there?" Bernama quoted Ezam as saying at the ceremah, organised by the Shah Alam Umno division.

klscah corruption forum 230307 ezam mohd noor 02 Ezam also reiterated his readiness to stand against the PKR de facto leader in the forthcoming by-election in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency in Penang.

"If you ask me whether I am prepared to stand against Anwar Ibrahim, I would say that I am ready and I would not reject such an offer. Victory or defeat is not the main thing. More importantly, it is opposing Anwar as a team to uphold the truth.

"That is why I say do not talk of victory or defeat to me, and do not scare me with the constituency of Permatang Pauh. Do not challenge me because I am a fighter and I will fight," he said.

Second offer

This was the second time Ezam has offered himself to vie for the seat on behalf of Umno and the Barisan Nasional.

The first time he did so was on Thursday, soon after Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail announced her resignation as the MP for Permatang Pauh to make way for her husband to contest the seat in a by-election.

But Ezam is probably aware that his candidacy will not come on a silver platter. Already, Umno’s Pirdaus Ismail who had contested twice in Permatang Paul has declared his interest for Round Three. That Ezam is not a local Penang boy may also prove unfavourable to him in his quest to obtain the Umno ticket.

Meanwhile, Parliament notified the Election Commission of the vacancy in Permatang Pauh yesterday. According to the EC, they will meet on Wednesday to decide on the dates for nomination and polling for the by-election.