More than 20 Selayang PKR grassroots members visited their MP William Leong, who recently resigned from the party's political bureau, as a sign of solidarity.

According to Leong's assistant Chua Wei Kiat, the constituents met Leong at his service centre about 10pm last night and the meeting lasted for about an hour.

"More than 20 people, consisting of PKR branch members and the village head of Gombak sought clarification from Leong on his decision.

"They were positive and supported Leong," Chua told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Malaysiakini understands that the grassroots will hold a press conference tomorrow at Taman Selayang Jaya to show their support for Leong, where Pakatan Harapan leaders are also expected to be present.

Yesterday, Leong quit from PKR's political bureau in protest of the party's decision to continue holding talks of possible cooperation with PAS, despite the two parties' split earlier this year.

Leong, 60, who is a lawyer by profession, also stated his intention to not defend the Selayang seat in the next general election.

He seized the seat from BN in the 2008 general election by defeating MCA and an independent candidate, winning with a 3,567-vote majority. He further increased his majority to 17,846 votes in the 13th general election.

Less than 24 hours after news of Leong's resignation broke, several banners were put up in support of Leong.

Assemblyperson supports PKR-PAS talk

Meanwhile, Rawang state assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei urged Leong to stay on.

"He is my best comrade-in-arms. We fought side-by-side in 2008 to conquer Selayang and (win) the Selangor government. We form the basis of many reform agenda (in the state), such as the fight against high-tension wires, and lobbying for free water and free bus," she said in a statement today.

Rawang falls under the Selayang parliamentary seat.

However, Gan's stance on PKR-PAS talks was contradictory to Leong's, with her voicing support for the party leadership to continue negotiations.

"The priority is to hold on to the Selangor government as Harapan's base to conquer Putrajaya. It is of utmost importance to assemble all force against BN (to fight) on a one-on-one basis.

"PKR is open to talking with everyone to avoid three-cornered fights in order to achieve historical changes in the Malaysian political scenario," she said, adding that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim would also be in support of such alliance.

She urged all parties to set aside their egos and be politically wise to face such situation.

She is the second such PKR leader to voice such remarks.

Earlier today, Penang's Dr Afif Bahardin also voiced similar concerns, urging party leaders who were opposed to the party's talks with PAS, to drop their arrogance and focus on the opposition's sole goal of toppling the BN/Umno administration in the coming general elections.