PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) says it has received a few requests from members wanting to leave the party over the clash for the Larkin seat with PKR.

       Its vice-president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier told The Star that the party respected the wishes of those who wanted to quit.

       “Yes, we received the email (from members wanting to leave). We respect their point of view and requests will be processed accordingly,” she said when contacted on Friday (Feb 25).

       However, she said the number was very small.

       These members were apparently unhappy that Muda would clash with PKR in the Larkin state for the March 12 Johor state election, and posted screenshots of their requests to leave the party which is led by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

       “I am also done, when is your turn?” Twitter user @arieefiy said.

       At least, six such posts have been made at about 2.30pm Friday.

       Meanwhile, PKR's Kota Anggerik assemblyman Mohd Najwan Halimi tweeted screenshots of conversations with former Muda members who wanted to join his party.

       “Alhamdulillah, more youth have started to realise and they want to be with Keadilan,” he tweeted.

       “We welcome the involvement of youth with Keadilan in building a better Malaysia.”

       However, he said intake of members was currently closed and will only be open after May, which is when party elections are slated to be held.

       PKR's official newsletter SuaraKeadilan also tweeted that membership was temporarily closed, adding: "... many who joined #BatalKeahlianMuda have (asked) to join Keadilan.

       Muda is fielding its Johor information chief Rasid Abu Bakar in Larkin, where PKR already said its candidate would be Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain.

       This came about after seat negotiations between the two parties reached an impasse.

       Johor PKR chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said in a statement on Friday that the party would not clash with Muda in the latter's seats out of respect for its Pakatan Harapan allies DAP and Amanah, which agreed to let it contest in those constituencies.

       “I deeply regret Muda’s actions as it is clear the party does not respect the spirit of unity in the Opposition (to fight for) the future of the people and the state of Johor," he said.

       He said Muda still had time to reconsider its decision to contest in Larkin ahead of nomination day on Saturday (Feb 26).

       If Muda proceeded, he said, PKR would only help other Pakatan candidates in the campaigning.