KUALA LUMPUR: The unregistered Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) will abstain from contesting the Melaka state elections on Nov 20, because it is against Pakatan Harapan's decision to field "political frogs" as candidates, says its founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

       Syed Saddiq said there have been negotiations with Pakatan since two weeks ago, but to no avail.

       "After several incidents, especially the leadership's insistence of fielding political frogs that caused this state elections. It is wrong and it should not be tolerated.

       "Muda reject politics without principles... We don't want to prioritise seats over principles."

       Syed Saddiq said Muda will instead focus preparations on the upcoming 15th General Election.

       Earlier, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron will contest under its banner at the Asahan state seat, while Datuk Nor Azman Hassan will defend his Pantai Kundor seat.

       Idris is officially a PKR member, while Nor Azman is officially a Parti Amanah Negara member.

       Idris and Nor Azman were formerly Umno members.

       Previously, Idris led three assemblymen - Nor Azman, Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad, to retract support for the Perikatan Nasional state government, triggering its subsequent collapse.

       On Sept 10, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the Cabinet agreed to introduce a Bill against party hopping, which is set to to be tabled at the first meeting of Parliament next year.

       Nominations for Melaka polls have been set for Nov 8, while polling is on Nov 20.