PUTRAJAYA, Jan 30  — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has shrugged off proposals for him to slug it out with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Kajang, saying today that he has no intention to get involved in PKR’s internal problems.

The prime minister told reporters today that it was PKR’s own internal strife that had led to the drama in Kajang, the PKR-held state seat that was deliberately vacated to give Anwar a spot in the Selangor assembly.

“You know this is not my problem. It is their problem. The problem that precipitated the by-election are internal problems,” said Najib at a press conference in his office here.

“The by-election is because of the serious strife in the party,” he pointed out referring to the series of public spat between PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

The tiff between the duo came to a head after state-run Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) axed Azmin from its board of directors on January 8, purportedly on the state executive council’s orders.

While Khalid refuted the claim and declassified official state documents to assert the state’s position, the issue sparked speculation of a worsening rift between them, which warranted Anwar to step in.

Anwar declared his intention to contest the Kajang state assembly seat on Tuesday, shortly after Lee Chin Cheh announced his sudden resignation for the “benefit” of his party, PKR.

Should Anwar win the Kajang seat, it is speculated that the federal opposition leader will replace Khalid as the Selangor mentri besar.

Najid said today that public feedback on Anwar’s foray into Selangor has been “more negative than positive”.

“So why should they deflect their problem and relate it to me?” quizzed Najib, who is also the BN chairman.

He added that the by-election is viewed as “burdensome” to the public and Kajang voters.

“Just don’t drag me in, this your internal problem,” he said.