Johor PKR deputy chief Dr Ahmad Faidhi Saidi has stepped up as the state's acting head while his boss Chua Jui Meng continued to be absent from the party's public functions.

This was confirmed by PKR deputy secretary-general Steven Choong, who is seen as an ally of Chua.

ahmad faidhi saidi johor pkr deputy chief Choong said the decision was made at a meeting of the state's division leaders two days ago.

"In the meeting, it was unanimously decided that while Chua is on leave, his position would be left to the central body to decide but he (Ahmad, right ) should take on the role (as acting chief) to continue the party's work.

"Under the party's constitution, when the state leader is not around, his deputy will become the acting chief," he told Malaysiakini .

He explained that Chua's two-week leave was to expire today and local division leaders had made the decision that Ahmad will be acting chief if their boss was to continue extending his leave.

However Choong reiterated that Chua was only on leave from official function but was still communicating with the party.

'Central PKR to decide'

He added that Chua was still officially Johor PKR chief as he was appointed to the position and is answerable to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

NONE Chua ( left ) appeared to have gone on a silent protest after it was announced that PKR would step aside for DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang to contest the Gelang Patah parliamentary constituency.

The parliamentary constituency had been a contentious point and was the source of several public clashes between Chua and Johor DAP chairperson Boo Cheng Hau during seat negotiations.

Chua, who is said to be eyeing to contest in Gelang Patah, had since disappeared from public view and refused to take calls from the media.

Choong said efforts were still in the works to resolve the matter.

"As far as I understand, as of yesterday afternoon, (seat) negotiations are still ongoing and we are waiting for it to finalise," he said.

Choong had previously said that PKR is now eyeing for DAP's Segamat , Bakri or Kulai parliamentary for Chua to contest in exchange for Gelang Patah.