KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad defused widespread speculation that he would stand as an independent candidate in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Dr Mahathir said he would not offer himself as a candidate although many of his supporters requested him to take on PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"I am retired (from politics). I will not return. As a citizen I have the liberty to make any comments on what is transpiring in my country, that's all," he said yesterday after attending a forum on current challenges faced by the Malay community.

During the forum, one participant suggested Dr Mahathir offer himself as an independent candidate where electorates would have a wider choice when casting their votes, especially the "fence sitters".

Dr Mahathir admitted that it would be tough to defeat Anwar, as Permatang Pauh had been an opposition fortress.

"In the last two polls, Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Pirdaus Ismail failed to unseat Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail.

"It would be also the same fate for candidate on an independent ticket. Definitely hard to win, the only thing is that the majority (for Anwar) could be reduced if the (independent) candidate is previously from PAS," he said.

When asked who would be the right Barisan candidate to take on Anwar, Dr Mahathir replied there is no right contender who is considered competent to go against the former deputy prime minister.

"Furthermore, Barisan had lost its credibility in the last general election. It certainly would be hard to find a suitable candidate," he said.

Dr Mahathir said it would be interesting to see a majority vote garnered by Anwar in the Aug 26 poll.

"If Anwar wins with a higher majority, it translates that Umno had lost its popularity," he said.

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