JOHOR BARU: The distribution of three seats between PKR and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) is still in a deadlock and is yet to be finalised.

However, MUDA president Syed Saddiq Syed Abd Rahman said the seat talks with PKR would continue behind closed doors, before any statement was issued.

"The seat discussions between PKR and Muda are being held in private and have not been finalised.

"If the discussions do not reach a consensus and reaches a dead end, MUDA will inform the media. 

"We already have (gained) some seats to contest from our opposition partners and are trying our best to reduce duplication," he said at a press conference after the launch of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and MUDA Election Machinery here today.

Also present was PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) President Mohamad Sabu and DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng.

Asked when MUDA would announce the actual number of seats it would contest, Syed Saddiq, who is also the Muar Member of Parliament said it would be done once all discussions were finalised.

"The first MUDA candidate for the Puteri Wangsa seat will be announced tonight, but for now we will consult first before giving further statements," he said.

Earlier, rumours surfaced claiming that the seat negotiations between PKR and MUDA are taking place in a tense atmosphere.

This was after MUDA allegedly wanted the Larkin and Bukit Gambir seats but instead was offered the Tanjung Surat, Sri Medan and Semarang seats, three rural seats which are Umno strongholds.

Earlier today, Anwar announced PKR's five seats for South Johor, including Larkin, which will be contested by the party's candidate, Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain.

In the meantime, Syed Saddiq said the Johor state election should be the beginning of the people's uprising to oppose corruption and arrogance of Umno and BN.

"It is not an easy (State) election but if in GE14, Johor, which was previously Umno's stronghold, was captured in the spirit of opposition cooperation, then there is no reason why it cannot be repeated.

"We need to work together. It is not easy but I am confident that with a good strategy, we can do what is impossible like the GE14," he said