Johor polls: PKR likely to contest 20 seats after deal falls through with Muda

JOHOR BARU: It seems PKR will be contesting in all 20 seats it has been allocated in the Johor state election after failing to reach a deal with Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).

PKR has sent an invitation to the media that party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) would be announcing the candidates later Monday (Feb 14) in three different locations.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, is expected to announce the party candidates for eight state seats, which are Larkin, Kempas, Bukit Batu, Johor Lama, Tanjung Surat, Tiram, Pasir Raja and Layang Layang at a hotel within the city area.

After announcing the candidates, Anwar would be officiating Pakatan and Muda election machinery with other Pakatan leaders attending as well as Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

He would then be announcing the five PKR candidates for Rengit, Tenggaroh, Benut, Kukup and Semarang seats at PKR’s office in Rengit near Batu Pahat.

The Opposition chief would then announced PKR candidates for the final seven seats, which are Semerah, Bukit Naning, Gambir, Sungai Balang, Buloh Kasap, Sri Medan and Pemanis at a hotel in Batu Pahat tonight.

However, it is still unclear whether there will be last minute negotiations between Anwar and Syed Saddiq.

On Sunday, the three seats PKR offered to Muda are not the seats that the party has their eyes on, which are Kempas, Gambir and Larkin.

However, it is learnt that Muda was offered the Tanjung Surat, Sri Medan and Semarang seats instead.

Pakatan sources said that both Muda and PKR are supposed to finalise their seat negotiations by Sunday (Feb 13).

Sources said, however, that if Muda does not accept the three seats offered, then PKR could be contesting up to 20 seats.

Earlier, Muda reached a consensus with DAP and Parti Amanah Negara, with Muda to contest in six seats – Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai.

It was also agreed that Amanah, DAP and Muda would combine their election machinery to support all of its candidates.

Nominations for the Johor state election has been set for Feb 26 and polling is set for March 12.

Parit Raja and Machap were previously won by Umno in the 14th General Election.

Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai were won by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in GE14, when it was still a part of the Pakatan coalition.