INCOMING PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has refused any form of government help when he contests the Port Dickson by-election next month.

Anwar said he told his wife, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and ministers not to involve any government machinery in the run-up to the polls.

“I have it made very clear that I do not want any government facilities or machinery used in the by-election,” he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.

He said he does not want any ministers campaigning for him in their official capacity, but only as party leaders.

“I want to make sure they only come as party leaders.”

Anwar said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who also holds the domestic trade and consumer affairs portfolio, has postponed a ministry programme scheduled to take place during the by-election campaign.

“I was informed by Saifuddin Nasution that there was a programme arranged, but he has to postpone it because we would like to go into the by-election clean.”

The former deputy prime minister also added that former Port Dickson MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah will be campaigning for him despite giving up the seat.

“Danyal has not just given me room but also said he will be campaigning with me as long as I’m in PD,” he said.

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

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