PKR has stated that it remains confident of its position in the upcoming Johor state election despite several former members choosing to contest under Parti Bersama Malaysia, insisting that its grassroots support remains intact.
Party vice-president Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the decision by former members to leave PKR and run under a different banner was ultimately their own choice. She noted that the party was not overly concerned by the developments, as internal confidence within PKR remained steady.
She added that early observations during nomination day across nearly all 20 constituencies indicated strong encouragement from both party members and the public. According to her, this level of engagement reflects continued trust in the party’s direction on the ground.
Among the candidates contesting under Bersama Malaysia are individuals previously associated with PKR, including former candidate Dr Zamil Najwah in Permas, Norsinah Abu in Larkin, and Stanley Tan in Stulang. Another candidate in Puteri Wangsa, Nicholas Paul Vincent, has also been linked to past PKR involvement.
Dr Zaliha also highlighted that PKR has already activated its campaign machinery, with efforts underway to boost voter turnout among Johoreans residing outside the state. She said the party is actively encouraging these voters to return home to cast their ballots.
In addition, outreach programmes are being intensified, particularly targeting younger voters and rural communities. Dr Zaliha said families are being urged to play a role in reminding their children who are working or studying elsewhere to come back and vote.
Political observers note that voter mobilisation efforts are often a key factor in closely contested state elections, especially in constituencies where margins are expected to be tight. The ability of parties to maintain enthusiasm among supporters could prove decisive on polling day.
Despite the emergence of new challengers and shifting candidate lines, PKR maintains that its support base remains resilient, signalling that it is preparing for a competitive but confident electoral battle in Johor.
