Anwar, who is also PKR president, said his deputy, Rafizi Ramli, will decide on a date to announce the candidate.

“There are many potential candidates. God willing, we will announce (the choice) next week.

“But, as usual, we will discuss (the selection) with the PH and Barisan Nasional leadership,” he told reporters after Friday prayers at the Sultan Abdul Samad KLIA mosque here.

Earlier this week, Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the unity government will field a candidate from PKR, adding that the PH and BN leaderships had unanimously agreed to it.

The state seat fell vacant following the death of PAS assemblyman, Nor Zamri Latiff, from stomach inflammation on May 24.

Yesterday, the Election Commission announced that the by-election would be held on July 6.

Zamri won the seat in the state election in August last year, defeating PH’s Nurhidayah Che Rose in a straight fight with a 1,563-vote majority.

Meanwhile, BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir said the coalition did not push for a candidate to contest out of respect for PH’s “traditional seat”.

“It has been agreed upon, so this issue should not come up,” he told reporters in Serdang.

FMT had previously reported that Penang Umno leaders had lobbied for PH to make way for BN in the by-election.