PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim joked last night that he would be defeated if Lee Chong Wei were to contest the Kajang by-election, for he would not be able to counter the popularity of the world’s top-ranked singles badminton player.

Anwar said he is a big fan of Lee and always would pray for his success in every game.

“If Lee contests, I would admit defeat ... (but) I would surely be defeated in badminton,” he said.

“Every time he is on the badminton court, I pray for his victory. I am confident that if I contest in Kajang, Lee will pray for my success,” Anwar said in a brief speech at Taman Mesra in Kajang.

He hit back at Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, who had criticised as "desperate" his decision to wear the state football jersey when meeting Selangor FA supporters.

Although he was born in Penang and had studied in Kuala Kangsar, Anwar said he had lived in Selangor for a long time.

"If he (Khairy) wears the Manchester (United) jersey, is he desperate to become a Mancunian?" asked Anwar.

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali were present at last night's event, with Azmin sitting next to Khalid, if to dispel talk of a rift between the two.

In his 20-minute speech, Anwar paid tribute to Kajang assemblyperson Lee Chin Cheh ( right ) for voluntarily vacating the seat.

Anwar said he had not discussed the matter with Chin Cheh, also known as CC Lee, prior to the resignation.

“I only met Chin Cheh two hours before he submitted his resignation letter. There were no discussions  between him and me before that. CC Lee then made the decision to give way to me,” Anwar added.

'How I differ from Anwar'

Khalid appealed to the Kajang electorate to accept Anwar as the Pakatan Rakyat candidate.

He said Anwar would able to carry out responsibilities as their assemblyperson if he wins.

He also pointed out how he differs from Anwar.

“I can count money, but if the people ask for a lot of money, I will reply that there is no money.

"However, if Anwar is asked for money, he will work hard to find it because the people are asking."

Anwar reciprocated in his speech.

“I am proud of how Selangor has performed under Khalid. If he is stingy, he is actually extremely stingy with the people's money. However, this is not a weakness,” he said.

Anwar did not comment on speculation that he would take over as menteri besar.

Instead, he paid tribute to Khalid and said his role in strengthening Selangor's economy should continue.

“He (Khalid) should be given a role to improve the Selangor economy and his efforts to develop the state will continue,” Anwar added.

At the end of the event, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil announced that Khalid has been appointed the election director with Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin as his deputy.

Khalid had previously led the Pakatan Rakyat election machinery in the Hulu Selangor by-election, when the coalition fielded Zaid Ibrahim.