JOHOR BARU: Johor PKR is looking at contesting as many as 28 out of the 56 state seats in the next general election.

       Its chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said they included racially mixed seats that were previously given to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

       “We expect to contest in almost half of the 56 state seats in Johor but it depends on discussions with other Pakatan Harapan parties.

       “We know PKR has the potential to win in constituencies with a mixed racial composition.

       “Some of these mixed seats were given to Bersatu in GE14 such as the Larkin, Kempas and Permas state seats. These are among the seats open for us to contest in the next general election.

       “Johor Pakatan has yet to discuss the allocation of seats but we hope support would be given to PKR to contest in racially mixed seats as that is the party’s strength,” he said after flagging off the PKR Jelajah Nadi Program here yesterday.

       Currently, the Perikatan Nasional-led state government holds 29 seats – Umno (14), Bersatu (12), MIC (two) and PAS (one) – while Pakatan has 27 seats with DAP (14), PKR (seven) and Amanah (six).

       On a separate matter, Syed Ibrahim said the proposal from PKR’s grassroots for Pakatan to use the party’s logo in the next general election would not strain its relationship with other component parties.

       “The discussion on the logo is still ongoing and no decision has been finalised by the Pakatan presidential council.

       “Hence, each party is free to give its views on the matter. PKR has asked its grassroots’ opinion on the matter and many prefer to have the party’s logo to represent Pakatan in GE15 as we did in GE14.

       “But at the end of the day, we will abide and follow the decision that has been finalised. We have no problem. This matter will not strain our relationship with other parties in Pakatan,” he said.

       Syed Ibrahim also noted that Johor PKR is prepared to face a general election.

       “We started preparing for the election about two years ago as we cannot predict when it will be held. We need to be ready.

       “We have also appointed coordinators for state and parliamentary seats. We have completed about 80% of the preparations, in terms of machinery and voting districts,” he said.