PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli today issued a circular instructing all levels of the party to support Pakatan Harapan's candidates in the upcoming twin by-elections amid uncertainty whether its leadership was fully behind Parti Amanah Negara's candidates.

The circular, sighted by Malaysiakini, was directed at all PKR members at the central, state and branch level and carried the title "PKR machinery support for Pakatan Harapan's candidates in the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections".

The circular said PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will accompany Parti Amanah Negara's Mohd Azhar Adbdul Shukur in Sungai Besar, while Rafizi will accompany Amanah's Termizi Ramli in Kuala Kangsar for Nomination Day tomorrow.

"Therefore, I urge all PKR members and reformasi activists to mobilise in force to accompany Pakatan Harapan's candidates to the nomination centre on June 5, 2016, to express support and PKR's commitment to Pakatan Harapan in both by-elections.

"PKR will also give full cooperation to the Pakatan Harapan campaign machinery in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar," read the circular.

No mention of Amanah was made throughout the circular and the candidates were only referred to as representing Harapan.

Nurul is election director

The circular said PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar will act as election director for the Sungai Besar by-election, while the party's Saifuddin Nasution will lead in Kuala Kangsar.

"I pray that you will mobilise in force and join the PKR machinery tasked in both constituencies to ensure Pakatan Harapan's victory.

"God willing, the victories will create a wave of people's support for reformasi and to free Anwar Ibrahim," it said.

There had been speculation of a rift in the PKR leadership after party deputy president Azmin Ali, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, did not attend the announcement of Amanah's candidate in Sungai Besar.

However, Wan Azizah said Azmin's absence was because he needed to take care of the state government which still has PAS in it.

Both by-elections are expected to see, at the very least, three-corner fights between BN, PAS and Amanah.

Polling Day for both by-elections is set for June 18.