INCOMING PKR president Anwar Ibrahim will not stand in the Seri Setia state seat by-election in Selangor on September 8.

“I don’t want to be menteri besar. No need to be state assemblyman. It never crossed my mind,” said Anwar during a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

“I’m returning to Parliament as a backbencher. Reforms in Parliament are critical in a vibrant democracy,” he added.

Anwar, who is expected to succeed current Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in two years’ time, reiterated that he is in no hurry.

“Now we give our full support to Dr Mahathir. He should be given full space to govern without pressure or coercion,” he said.

The Seri Setia by-election was called following the death of its incumbent, Shaharuddin Badaruddin, who was PKR vice-president and a Selangor exco, due to cancer on August 2.

Anwar won the PKR presidency uncontested last Sunday, taking over from his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. – August 9, 2018.