Kelantan PKR said they are willing to back down on their request for 15 state seats if any other Pakatan Harapan party can offer a better candidate to any of the seats in question.

“We will discuss our wishes at the top leadership level. PKR will put forward the strengths and profiles of our candidates.

“If any other party's candidate is more able, we will give up that seat to the said candidate,” Kelantan PKR chairperson Ab Aziz Ab Kadir told Malaysiakini in Kota Bharu when contacted today.

Last week Ab Aziz said the state PKR is hoping to get more seats than their original five, after agreeing to give several parliamentary seats to Bersatu.

Kelantan PKR had agreed to only contest in two parliamentary seats - Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas - and give Ketereh, Machang and Tumpat to Bersatu.

The demand received mixed responses, including from analysts, who found it unexpected.

Ab Aziz, PKR's Ketereh candidate in the 13th general election, likened the move as a desire to rebuild their base in Kelantan, which is former Pakatan Rakyat ally PAS' stronghold.

PAS decided to cut ties with PKR last year.

“Right now, we want to build a new house, instead of riding on someone else's house.

“Previously we hitched a ride on PAS' home, which was already in existence. So the scenario was different,” he said.

He said their list of candidates is ready and they will discuss it with the state coalition when the time comes.

In 2013, PKR contested five Kelantan state seats, and won only one – Guchil, through their candidate Roslan Puteh.