PETALING JAYA: After the Election Commission announced dates for the Johor state election, Pakatan Harapan's DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) have completed seat negotiations with the newbie Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).

       "The consensus between Amanah, DAP and Muda is that Muda will contest in the following seats - Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa, Bukit Permai," said DAP, Amanah and Muda in a joint statement on Wednesday (Feb 9).

       PKR was briefly mentioned in the joint statement.

       "Negotiations between Muda and PKR are currently ongoing to achieve unity in facing this state election," the joint statement read.

       The joint statement was signed by DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

       The three parties said several rounds of meetings and negotiations were recently held, and this is an official decision finalised by DAP, Amanah and Muda.

       Among the other consensus achieved by the three parties was that Amanah, DAP and Muda would combine their election machinery to support all of its candidates.

       "This is very meaningful in facing the state election; Amanah, DAP and Muda is about to move as an election strategic partner - although Muda isn't a part of Pakatan.

       "This is in line with the 'big camp' principle to unite all political parties to take on the Barisan Nasional/Perikatan Nasional government."

       Disunity within Pakatan became apparent last week following PKR's decision to use its own logo in the Johor polls, while DAP and Amanah would use Pakatan’s logo.

       On Jan 27, Amanah and DAP issued a separate joint statement criticising PKR's decision, saying that a common logo was vital in an uphill battle.

       On Feb 6, PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was quoted as saying that Muda wanted to contest 10 seats in the Johor state elections.

       Anwar said Muda had been told to send in its candidate list before negotiations could commence.

       Nominations for the Johor state election has been set on Feb 26 and polling on March 12.

       Parit Raja and Machap was previously won and contested by Umno in the 14th general election.

       Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai were contested and won by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) during the 14th general election, when it was still a part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition.