JOHOR BAHRU, 21 Feb — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Johor stands united to face the coming general election after coalition parties have closed ranks to put a stop to recent media speculation regarding seat negotiations in the frontline state.

Negative reports about leaders’ comments do not detract from the solid cooperation between all PR parties in the state who have enjoyed regular and successful cooperation in organising grassroots functions since 2008.

Johor DAP Chairman, Dr Boo Cheng Hau expressed “greatest sense of solidarity and determination” in Pakatan Rakyat, stressing that the Johor DAP will give its “full support, cooperation, and selfless devotion” to the PKR and PAS machineries in the southern state.

Echoing national leaders’ statements to be vigilant and focus on upcoming polls, Boo reminded members that there is no true safe seat for Johor Pakatan Rakyat in the uphill battle in UMNO’s birth state. As such, Boo urged all quarters to unite and buck up for the next general elections.

Leadership is attentive

Boo’s reaffirmation came in reaction to the recent spark of misunderstanding over publicly issued statements by the DAP and PKR leaderships in Johor on issues touching the negotiation of seats for the upcoming 13^th General Election.

The central Pakatan Rakyat leadership has responded attentively to the situation. Earlier, the DAP Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng has issued an advise to Dr Boo and PKR Johor Chairman, Chua Jui Meng to “first consult with the respective top party leadership” before coming out with any public statements on seat allocations.

Upholding the already on-going mutual cooperation among the parties in Pakatan Rakyat, Lim reminded that such matters are deemed “unsuitable” to be expressed in the public domain, “unless all avenues for discussion internally between PKR and DAP have been exhausted”.

In the same statement released on 19 February, Lim said that the national seat negotiations among Pakatan Rakyat parties are still in progress. Lim also reassured that the top leadership of Pakatan Rakyat would address any questions over disputed seats.

Close the chapter

Dr Boo, also the State Assemblyman for Skudai, understood that his earlier statement on the seat allocations in Johor might have caused “unnecessary anxiety” within Pakatan Rakyat and its supporters, most particularly those in the state.

“I hope to close the unfortunate chapter in a swift manner in order to concentrate on the next general elections,” Dr Boo said, in a press conference jointly held with the DAP Parliamentary Leader, Lim Kit Siang here.

“I hope we face the next general elections with the greatest sense of solidarity and determination to win every Johorean’s support,” Dr Boo continued. “I would accept all criticism with an open heart and wish to see solidarity within PR to continue.”

Dr Boo also thanked DAP National Chairman, Karpal Singh, DAP Parliamentary Leader, Lim Guan Eng and DAP National Deputy Chairman, Tan Kok Wai for “their advice, support and understanding” towards his earlier statement “alerting PR relationship in Johor.”

“I also thank Lim Kit Siang for his wisdom and guidance in the matter,” Dr Boo said.

“My intention was meant to alert all sectors not to be complacent about Johor people’s support to PR in Johor. Let’s not take people’s support for granted as there is no safe seat in Johor for PR,” he said.

“For any conflicts there will still be internal channels to resolve [them]. I will have all confidence to Pakatan Rakyat central leadership to resolve any internal differences,” said Dr Boo.

The state of Johor, long-regarded as the traditional bastion for the ruling UMNO and Barisan Nasional, has until recently noted by observers as showing signs that a rising number of its citizens have gathered their confidence towards Pakatan Rakyat. — The Rocket