KUALA LUMPUR: The opposition yesterday promised their full support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's bid for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

Senior leaders from Pas and DAP admitted they were privy to PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's decision to quit much earlier.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said he was notified yesterday.

"We fully support Anwar and the party will mobilise its machinery to ensure his victory."

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang also echoed his sentiments, saying that Anwar was assured of the party's full support.
"I was informed about this development much earlier. We will support him all the way."

Lim, however, declined to comment on whether this by-election carried added weight, following recent statements by Anwar that the Pakatan would be wresting power from the Barisan Nasional by mid-September.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh said the decision was timely as Wan Azizah had been holding the fort since Anwar's arrest in 1998.

He challenged the government not to arrest and charge Anwar over the sodomy allegations so as to allow him to contest.

He called on the Election Commission not to drag their feet in fixing a date for the by-election.

Pas vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said the by-election would now provide Anwar with the opportunity to return to active politics.