KAJANG, Feb 3 — The triggering of an unforced by-election in Kajang was to allow Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to turn Selangor into showcase of stellar civil liberties and economic development, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

But the opposition leader continued to dodge questions on whether his contesting the seat was to allow him to take over the Selangor mentri besar post from Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

“Because of the ongoing attacks, we think it is time that the top leaders of PR must stand together to solve this issue,” Anwar told a packed hall of supporters here tonight, referring to the ongoing religious row between Muslims and non-Muslims over the word “Allah”.

“Also to turn Selangor, already a model state with its economy, into a good model and a state which is strident in defending the rights of every one of Selangor citizens”

The event here tonight was originally planned to launch the by-election machinery, but Anwar did not name Khalid as the election director despite suggesting this in an earlier interview.

A party official told the press later after the event that Khalid was earlier confirmed as campaign director for the by-election.

Anwar revealed today that he had met with Lee Chin Cheh no more than two hours before the Kajang assemblyman tendered his surprise resignation last Monday, deflecting criticism that the latter had been pressured to vacate his post.

The Permatang Pauh MP also took a dig at the suggestion for local badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei be made a candidate for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the by-election.

“If he comes here to contest, then I will certainly lose… in badminton,” Anwar joked, calling himself a huge fan of Lee’s.

“Everytime he plays, I would pray for his victory. If he were to contest, perhaps he would pray for my victory instead.”

Responding against allegations from critics that the by-election was an unnecessary waste of public funds, Anwar said he directed the party’s machinery to reuse old flags and posters from the general election last year.

The rally in Taman Mesra here saw PKR putting on a united front, with Anwar, Khalid, and Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali arriving together and sitting side-by-side on the stage.

Khalid also publicly endorsed Anwar, touting the latter as having the interest of the public in his heart, and is willing to spend state money unlike himself.

In a surprise move last week, PKR’s Lee resigned as Kajang assemblyman resigned, presumably to pave way for Anwar to contest the by-election.

Talk was that the move, dubbed by PKR as “the Kajang Move”, was to give Anwar a seat in the state assembly for the purpose of replacing Khalid as Selangor mentri besar.

But despite the latest developments, the Selangor government and Anwar continue to deny this.

While popular with the general public, Khalid’s penchant for unilateral decision-making in administering the country’s wealthiest state is understood to be a source of dissatisfaction among PR leaders in the state.

PR currently holds 44 of the 56-seat Selangor state assembly, with PAS and DAP having 15 seats each, while PKR has 13 after Lee’s resignation.