Anwar: I Want To Be A Backbencher For Now
He dismissed speculation that he will take over the Pandan parliamentary seat.
By Jia Vern Tham — 07 Jun 2018, 01:18 PM
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he wants to be a backbencher in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, 6 June
Anwar was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting for PKR's elected representatives yesterday, 6 June.
Image via Free Malaysia Today/YouTube"Prior to this, I have held several ministerial posts and been opposition leader, so now I want to be backbencher," Anwar was quoted as saying by New Straits Times (NST).
"I am free. I want to go around first," Anwar added, referring to his commitments such as lectures and meetings with world leaders, both domestic and abroad.
Anwar spoke to reporters after holding his first official meeting with all PKR elected representatives since his release from prison last month.
According to NST, 48 PKR parliamentarians and 51 PKR state assemblymen were present at the meeting.
Anwar also ruled out speculation that he will take over the Pandan parliamentary seat, which is currently held by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Channel NewsAsia reported Anwar as saying that it was impractical to contest in the seat as Wan Azizah would have to step down early in order to give way.
"Azizah offered, but it's not practical because she would have to resign as (Deputy Prime Minister) and I don't want a Cabinet position now," he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.
According to NST, Anwar will not contest as a Member of Parliament before the start of the first session of the Dewan Rakyat which will commence on 16 July
He will take more than two months to decide the seat he will contest in.
"I have programmes in London and Turkey and after that I will be back, going round to the states I have not yet visited," he was quoted as saying by Channel NewsAsia.
"After completing the programmes in the Arabian countries and United States, we will be discussing again, which will take more than two months, the decision to contest in which seat," he added.