KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) will go against PKR in the Larkin seat in the upcoming March 12 Johor state election, after an impasse in negotiations between the two Opposition parties over seat allocations.
In a statement today, Muda announced that the party’s state information chief Rasid Abu Bakar will run for the Larkin seat alongside state’s deputy chairman Sangaran Rawisandiran for Machap and state’s secretary general Fikri Musa for the Parit Raja seat.
“The nomination of the three Muda leaders in this election is in line with Muda's efforts to feature young leaders, active in service politics and always focused on formulating a fair and equitable policy for Johor,” it said.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) component PKR had already announced Zamil Najwah Arbain as its candidate, with Barisan Nasional placing Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.
The incumbent is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Mohammad Izhar Ahmad, which has left PH for Perikatan Nasional. The coalition is set to announce its candidate this afternoon.
After the Muda announcement, news portal Malaysiakini reported Johor PKR deputy chief Jimmy Puah as urging the fledgling party to reconsider its decision to field a candidate in Larkin.
Puah said PKR will not yield in the constituency and will have a meeting to discuss possible responses including retaliation against Muda.
Aside from today’s announcement, Muda has already said it will field secretary-general Amira Aisya in Puteri Wangsa, co-founders Lim Wei Jit and Nurafiqah M Zulkifli in Tenang and Bukit Kepong, respectively, and Johor Muda chef Azrul Rahani in Bukit Permai.
The Puteri Wangsa seat would be a prime target for a PKR reprisal as the party previously complained when it was given to Muda.
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman previously said the party will not contest in any Johor state seats that Opposition parties are defending.
He added that Muda will instead run in seats where Umno or Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) were incumbent.
Pakatan Harapan’s Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and DAP previously agreed to make way for Muda to contest in six seats: Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa, and Bukit Permai.
On February 13, sources told English daily The Star that Muda had rejected Tanjung Surat, Sri Medan and Semarang seats that PKR had offered for the Johor state election and wanted Kempas, Gambir and Larkin instead.
The Election Commission has set March 12 as polling day with early voting on March 8. Nomination day is set for February 26.
