JOHOR BARU: The presence of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) in the upcoming Johor election is just part and parcel of democracy, says PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang.
Chang downplayed Bersama's entry into the Johor election, saying that any party is welcome to contest elections in a democratic country.
"Anyone is free to enter the contest and stand for election.
"Even if it is not Bersama, there would be other parties contesting.
"So, we take this as an open and healthy approach, and we welcome all parties that intend to contest in any election," he said at a press conference after officiating a new building at the Johor Chemistry Department office here.
Chang said this when asked to comment on the participation of former PKR leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in the upcoming state polls.
Asked if the party, which was recently taken over by the two former ministers, would pose a threat to PKR in the Johor election, he said it would be a challenge for all parties.
"It is perhaps a challenge to everyone. When a new party emerges, it will definitely be disruptive to the status quo.
"So, it is not just a challenge to PKR, but also to all the existing parties right now," he said.
On May 17, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi announced that they were leaving PKR to join Bersama, a party that was officially registered in December 2016.
On June 1, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the Johor state assembly, paving the way for a state election.
Johor last held a state election on March 12, 2022, in which Barisan Nasional secured a two-thirds majority after winning 40 of the 56 seats.
Of the 40 Barisan seats, Umno holds 33, MCA four and MIC three.
Pakatan won 12 seats (one Amanah, one PKR and 10 DAP), while Perikatan Nasional took three (two Bersatu and one PAS), and Muda won one.
