JOHOR POLLS | Johor PKR deputy chief Jimmy Puah has expressed surprise over Muda's decision to contest in Larkin and urged the youth-led party to reconsider.
He said his party will convene a meeting tomorrow to discuss possible retaliation if Muda does not reverse its course.
This was after Muda announced that it will be fielding its Johor information chief Rasid Abu Bakar as the candidate in Larkin where PKR already announced Zamil Najwah Arbain as its candidate.
"I'm quite taken aback. I think this will play into the hands of BN and cost our effort to take over the state. I hope Muda can reconsider," Puah (above) told Malaysiakini.
Asked if retaliation was on the table, he replied: "We will have a meeting on this".
PKR grassroots leaders previously lobbied for the party to contest in all Muda seats if the latter went against them.
In particular, PKR has been eyeing Puteri Wangsa which is seen as Muda's best chance at a seat.
PKR won’t give up Larkin
Puah said PKR won't budge on Larkin.
"Of course, we will contest in Larkin," he said.
Separately, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng expressed hope that both PKR and Muda would remain open to discussions that would avoid a clash of candidates.
"I'm still optimistic, if possible, try and reach an agreement so we avoid a clash, even if in just one seat.
"We don't want to end up like PN and BN," Lim told reporters in Senai, after he announced candidates for N46 Perling and N48 Skudai.
Lim, however, stopped short of urging either party to withdraw.
He added DAP had also harboured hope for Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to lead his party's charge, likening it to DAP's move to field Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong in Perling.
Pakatan Harapan, through Amanah and DAP, gave Muda six seats to contest in, namely Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai.
Muda had also entered into negotiation with PKR for another three seats. However, the negotiations broke down after both sides couldn't come to an agreement.
Muda wanted Larkin and Gambir while PKR was only willing to provide the Umno strongholds of Sri Medan, Semarang, and Benut.
The negotiations between the Harapan components and Muda were intended to allow them to put up a united front.
All seats sought by Muda were previously contested by Bersatu and were reallocated to the Harapan components after Bersatu left the coalition.
In total, Muda plans to contest seven seats with Larkin being the only one with an overlap with PKR.
The official nomination process will take place on Saturday (Feb 26). Johoreans will go to the polls on March 12.
PKR is contesting 20 seats, Amanah 16 and DAP 14. - Mkini
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