PETALING JAYA: Disgruntlement is building up between PKR and the neophyte Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda) ahead of the Johor state election over the Puteri Wangsa state seat.

       Johor PKR women's wing chief Napsiah Khamis said party grassroots leaders had worked the ground in Puteri Wangsa since the "Sheraton Move" in February 2020 and the seat was initially allocated to Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) following several rounds of tough negotiations.

       According to Napsiah, Johor PKR decided to allow Amanah to contest the Puteri Wangsa seat because the initial plan was to field former state assembly speaker Suhaizan Kayat.

       "What's most disappointing is that Amanah gave the seat to Muda without discussing it with us.

       "When Amanah wanted the seat, they discussed it with us so many times. This is very disappointing to the grassroots," she said.

       Napsiah also did not deny that she was initially speculated to contest the Puteri Wangsa seat, which she claimed was an easy win for Pakatan Harapan parties.

       "Now, the issue is not about me being a candidate. The issue is about PKR. You have to take the seats that we can win and we have worked the ground in our best ability to restore support in Tebrau and Puteri Wangsa."

       In the 14th general election in 2018, the Puteri Wangsa seat was won by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) Mazlan Bujang with 37,545 votes against Umno’s Abd Aziz Tohak’s 12,586 in a five-cornered fight.

       The seat later went to Perikatan Nasional after Bersatu left the Pakatan Harapan coalition in Feb 2020.

       According to Napsiah, after Bersatu left Pakatan in Feb 2020, it was the local PKR branch that made efforts in building up support.

       "It was only us, trying to regain confidence among voters."

       Speculation among the political sphere was that Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz would contest the Puteri Wangsa seat.

       Responding to that speculation, Napsiah confirmed that Amira had reached out to her recently about contesting the Puteri Wangsa seat.

       However, Napsiah doesn’t think that Amira is "ready" to contest the Puteri Wangsa seat in the coming state election.

       "The candidate doesn’t know anything about politics. I don’t think she is ready. When I asked about her election machinery, she said she didn’t have it.

       "So, how does Muda decide their candidate? Are they putting candidates on seats that are easy to win?" Napsiah questioned.

       Amira could not be contacted as at press time.

       Whether or not the PKR grassroots would boycott Muda ahead of the Johor state election, Napsiah said she will abide by all decisions made by the party’s leadership.

       "Whatever the leadership decides, we follow. We are just expressing the sentiments of the grassroots that Amanah was disrespectful," added Napsiah.

       In a joint statement by DAP and Amanah on Feb 9, it said that the consensus achieved with Muda was that Muda would contest in Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa, Bukit Permai.

       Later that night, PKR issued another statement, saying that they offered three seats to Muda and they were awaiting the party’s response.

       Nomination day for the Johor state election had been set at Feb 24 and polling on March 12.