Zaliha said any form of cooperation must be cordial to ensure political stability and guarantee victories for the two allies in the federal government.
She also said the state chapter took heed of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s call for party leaders to focus on improving the coordination and the operations at the grassroots level as part of the party’s preparation for the election.
“The president has made it clear that the party’s strength is not determined by the seats it demands but the discipline of the party’s machinery, unity among the leaders and the ability to inspire confidence among voters,” Zaliha told FMT.
Zaliha said adopting such an approach was now Johor PKR’s main focus.
She was responding to Anwar’s call for Johor PKR to use the right channels to hold seat talks for the next state election with its unity government allies, especially Umno.
Anwar acknowledged that the party was relatively weaker in Johor when it came to state seats but said negotiations should also take into account PKR’s strength of support at the parliamentary level.
The Umno-led Barisan Nasional coalition formed the Johor government after the 2022 state assembly polls, winning 40 of the 56 state seats up for grabs.
Pakatan Harapan won 12 seats, with DAP winning 10 and PKR and Amanah taking one each.
The Johor government is purely composed of BN assemblymen, with PH representatives serving as backbenchers in the state assembly. The term of the current state government ends in 2027.
Earlier this year, Umno and Amanah leaders traded barbs over the issue of seats in Johor, with Johor PH chairman Aminolhuda Hassan suggesting a “free-for-all” contest to resolve the electoral cooperation deadlock with BN in the state.
Separately, Johor Umno Youth welcomed Johor PKR’s preparedness to discuss an electoral pact for the state polls.
The wing’s chief, Noor Azleen Ambros, said negotiations carried out “cordially and responsibly” meant that the parties were prioritising the people’s interest.
“Even though negotiations between the two parties have yet to take place, Umno and BN will review their advantages and shortcomings before deciding on an electoral pact.”