PKR leaders are tight-lipped on the party's plans for the forthcoming Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat by-elections.

Met by reporters after the party's political bureau meeting at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya last night, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said a political party will always be ready to face an election.

"We are ready. We are a political party, we are ever-ready for elections," Wan Azizah said shortly after midnight.

Pressed further on the matter, she declined to comment, citing respect for the late Sungai Besar MP Noriah Kasnon and Kuala Kangsar MP Wan Mohammad Khai-ril Anuar Wan Ahmad, who died in the recent helicopter crash in Sarawak, triggering the by-elections.

PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali adopted a similar stand when asked for comment on PAS' intention to contest in the by-elections.

'We will wait and see'

"I don't know (that PAS wants to contest). No date has been set yet.

"We will wait and see. The Election Commission will only announce (election dates) on Friday, right?" the Selangor menteri besar and Gombak MP said.

The EC in a statement yesterday confirmed receiving notice of the two vacancies and said it would meet on Friday to discuss matters related to the two by-elections.

Asked whether the impact of the clash between PKR and DAP in Sarawak would spill over to the by-elections, Azmin said: "I'm optimistic that the leaders in Pakatan Harapan, and also PAS, would have the humility to listen to the voice of the people.

"As leaders, we should have the courage to sit down and discuss and move forward."

Azmin (photo) had, in the aftermath of the Sarawak election, called on all opposition parties, including PAS, to close ranks and work together as a team against the BN.

PAS has severed its ties with DAP and was replaced in the federal opposition Pakatan Harapan pact by its splinter party, Parti Amanah Negara.

PAS electoral director Mustafa Ali said on Monday the party would contest in the possible by-elections in Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar, as it had done so during the 13th general election as part of the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat.

Meanwhile, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu had said the party would only announce its decision on May 15.

Issues surrounding the Sarawak state elections and the two by-elections are expected to be discussed at the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting this afternoon.