BUKIT MERTAJAM, MALAYSIA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promised a clean fight and no personal attacks during the 10-day Permatang Pauh by-election campaign period.

The PKR adviser said there would not be any maki hamun (cursing) and the election campaign would be based on issues.

He also urged Permatang Pauh voters to come out in full force although polling day on Aug 26 is a working day.

"Every vote counts and Permatang Pauh voters should treat this by-election as a fight for freedom in view of the coming Merdeka celebrations."

He said this by-election represents the people's struggle for a better government that can bring the country to greater heights.

"The present government had accused me of being the cause of the current economic and political instability. Please send me in to Parliament on Aug 26 following which we will all go to Putrajaya to rectify the problems," he said during a ceramah in Kampung Kota in the Permatang Pasir state constituency last night.

On his challenger, Anwar said Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah is already an assemblyman and as such there is no need to vote him in to Parliament.

He also denied using the by-election to protect himself from being sent to the jail, saying that it was a ploy by Barisan Nasional to stop him from being the Prime Minister.

Earlier in George Town, he said: "To prevent the Parliamentary constituency from falling into enemy hands in the by-election, locals must act like brave warriors."

"Permatang Pauh is our stronghold but the coming weeks will see outsiders trying to come in and try to penetrate our fortress. This will be the most intense election ."