ANWAR Ibrahim said he chose to contest the Port Dickson by-election as it is in line with a Pakatan Harapan decision made in January.

The PKR president-elect said PH parties had reached a consensus, months before the 14th general election, that an application for his full pardon would be submitted, and that he would contest a parliamentary seat as soon as possible, should the pact win the polls.

“This is in line with the PH decision in January to obtain my pardon and help reinstate me in Parliament,” he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.

The Port Dickson by-election has been slammed as hasty and “manufactured”, coming so soon after GE14 while the new government is still finding its footing.

It also comes amid PKR elections, set to kick off tomorrow.

Anwar is expected to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister in two years.

He reiterated that his presence in Parliament is not to threaten Dr Mahathir, but to assist the latter in matters relating to the Dewan Rakyat.

“I give my utmost support and cooperation to Dr Mahathir. I would like to reform Parliament as a whole.”

Nomination for the by-election will be held on September 29, and polling day is set for October 13.

Anwar already has one contender – Twitter personality Stevie Chan Keng Leng, who previously said he is running in the polls on principle, opposing a “manufactured” by-election.

“A democracy has certain processes that you should honour. Failing to honour them makes a mockery of it,” he said on Twitter, announcing his intent.

Chan, who uses the handle @tapaimalaya, previously tweeted using the handle @YouTiup, and was once investigated for posting allegedly seditious tweets.

Anwar said he does not feel threatened, as anyone has the right to contest in an election.

He said in Port Dickson, he will be able to speak up for the large community of armed forces personnel, adding that he had defended their rights before.

“In 2012, I voiced out on the matter of 1Malaysia Development Bhd land in Sg Besi. Their rights should be upheld, and there must be MPs and senators who continue to fight for their struggles.”

Parti Rakyat Malaysia, too, has announced that it will contest the by-election. – September 21, 2018.