PKR has no issues supporting Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) candidates in the upcoming Johor state elections if the party refrains from contesting against Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates, Anwar Ibrahim said.

“If Muda follows the spirit of the (PH) manifesto and finalises the negotiations, I have no issues with helping Muda candidates win,” said the PKR president during the launch of the party’s machinery for the Johor polls in Pulai tonight.

“We will wait for their response and we hope it’s a positive one.”

Although the PH chairman did not elaborate, it is believed that he is referring to Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s veiled threat to contest against PKR in some seats.

On Friday, Syed Saddiq said the PKR-Muda talks had fallen through and that the party was considering its next course of action. 

Although Muda has obtained six seats from DAP and Amanah, it has failed to reach a consensus with PKR. 

Muda is said to want to contest the Larkin, Bukit Gambir and Kempas seats while PKR is only prepared to give seats such as Semarang and Sri Medan.

Meanwhile, Anwar played down suggestions that there is a rift with DAP and Amanah over the reform party’s decision to use the PKR logo instead of the PH symbol in the Johor elections.  

“The use of PKR logo does not jeopardise our relationship with DAP and Amanah,” he said. 

“Incidentally, this is the first time that we have completed seat negotiations so quickly. This means that we have a good relationship with DAP and Amanah although we plan to use our own logo.”  

PKR is believed to want to use its own logo as it fears the negative perception that is linked to the PH federal government before it collapsed.

And to some extent, Anwar confirmed it tonight when he said that while PH had some successes, there were also mistakes.  

“There are some questions that we will not be able to answer convincingly,” said the opposition leader.

But he reiterated that it is crucial for PKR to maintain its relationship with DAP and Amanah if it wants to defeat Barisan Nasional again.

The Election Commission has set the polling date for March 12 and early voting on March 8. Nomination is on February 26. – February 20, 2022.