A Kedah PKR assemblyperson has expressed shock at the remark made by Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul that he "can do wonders" when Anwar Ibrahim becomes the next prime minister.

Sidam assemblyperson Dr Robert Ling said Kedah Bersatu deputy chairperson Anuar Abdul Hamid has interpreted it as a "plot to topple" Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

"I view this matter seriously and firmly state that the statement by Johari is personal and is not in any way related to PKR," Ling said in a statement to Malaysiakini.

"The Kedah PKR leadership and the party's Sungai Petani division have not discussed Johari's position if Anwar were to contest in the Sungai Petani parliamentary seat," Ling added.

On Sunday, at PKR's #reformasi20tahun anniversary do in Penang, Johari reiterated his willingness to offer his Sungai Petani parliamentary seat to Anwar to contest.

The move is to pave the way for Anwar (photo), who won the PKR presidency post uncontested in the party's leadership elections, to return to Parliament.

Johari, who is also Gurun assemblyperson, said he could do wonders in Kedah if Anwar were PM, adding that the state is in a "mess" as it remains at the bottom after Kelantan, which is being currently held by PAS.

Asked which position he would prefer when Anwar takes over as prime minister - a post of federal minister or menteri besar - Johari chose the latter.

This prompted Anuar to retaliate that there seemed to be a plot to topple Mukhriz, which Johari vehemently denied, saying that the Kedah Bersatu leader has "misinterpreted" his remarks as he was merely responding to questions from the media.

As the Sungai Petani Pakatan Harapan chairperson, Ling said, he welcomes Anwar to contest in Sungai Petani so that he can become the 8th prime minister, as agreed by the coalition prior to GE14.

Anwar is supposed to replace Dr Mahathir Mohamad in two years but Mahathir has said he may need more time to set the country on the right track.

"However, this does not mean that Johari will be installed as the Kedah menteri besar," Ling said.

"We have agreed, by consensus, to support Mukhriz as the menteri besar. He has to be given the opportunity and the time to administer the state properly.

"I hope there will be no more media statements that will lead to a negative perception among the rakyat and may lead to the break-up of Pakatan Harapan," said Ling, who is also Sungai Petani PKR chief.

The rakyat's mandate given to Harapan in the May 9 general election to lead the country must be carried out properly, he added, so that the people's trust in the coalition would not be undermined.