JOHOR BARU, Aug 15 — Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) said today it will soon hold discussions with its Barisan Nasional (BN) counterpart for a joint campaign for the upcoming Pulai parliament and Simpang Jeram state by-elections.

In a statement, the coalition expressed its commitment and determination for its candidates to win both seats.

"At the same time, discussions with Johor BN are also being conducted in the spirit of unity with the 'Perpaduan Bawa Rahmah' theme,” it said, using the Malay phrase for "unity brings blessings”.

"Johor PH will not take these two by-elections for granted. All strategies will be fine-tuned to ensure victory.”

The statement came after a Johor PH leadership council meeting held at the state’s Parti Amanah Negara office in Bandar Baru Kangkar Pulai here last night, co-chaired by Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan, and his PKR and DAP counterparts: Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh and Liew Chin Tong.

The statement said Johor PH will also form a main election machinery committee, headed by Aminolhuda, to face the two by-elections following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, the incumbent for both seats.

Johor PH hopes that the Pulai and Simpang Jeram constituents will continue to support the coalition’s candidates who will represent the unity government's agenda to stabilise and restore the national economy.

It was reported that Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is from BN and the Johor Amanah leadership held a meeting at the menteri besar’s official residence at Saujana here yesterday.

Aminolhuda, who is also the Johor Amanah chairman, described PH’s relationship with BN in Johor as harmonious, adding that Onn Hafiz extended his friendship to Amanah.

The discussions were on the two upcoming by-elections following the July 23 death of Salahuddin, who was also the federal minister of domestic trade and cost of living.

The Election Commission has set nomination day for the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat by-elections on August 26.

Early voting will be on September 5 and polling day on September 9.