A group of about 50 grassroots supporters of Selayang PKR MP William Leong today voiced their support for his decision to quit from the party's political bureau to protest PKR's continuous attempt to court PAS.

However, confusion reigned when asked whether PKR should continue wooing PAS or should stop such attempts. 

"We fully support Leong relinquishing his position in the political bureau on reasons and excuses stated by him.

"We urge the party president and deputy president to consider his reasons for the sake of party's dignity and principle," said Selayang PKR Youth deputy chief A Andy, who read out the group's statement.

"We also urge the leadership to impose a deadline on efforts to continue to negotiate with PAS and immediately make a decision," he added.

Yesterday' PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the party is yet to accept Leong's resignation.

Leong's aide Chee Chu Sang, who was also present, said that the grassroots do not want PKR to have any form of negotiations with PAS, but later conceded that there should be a "short deadline" given to the Islamist party. 

Chee further said that there should be conditions set, should PAS agree to negotiate working with PAS. 

"PAS should show the sincerity to negotiate with us. If it is not sincere, then (we) should not negotiate," he said. 

PKR Rawang state assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei reiterated that PKR should be open to joining hands with any force, to avoid three-cornered fights and emerge victorious in the next general election. 

"We should have an open attitude to any force which wants to join us to make a change. In this case, if you ask me (about) PAS, yes, we should engage and talk," said Gan.

"This negotiation is at the leadership level, we leave it to the wisdom of the leadership. I hope whatever negotiation, it is at the best (interest) of the people," she added. 

She, however, could not provide an answer if there should be a cut-off time for the negotiations. 

Gan also dismissed speculations that she was part of PKR Deputy President Mohamed Azmin Ali's faction within the party, as she was in favour of negotiations with PAS. 

"For me, we are all pro-rakyat, there is no pro-Azmin. This is merely a perception from outside the party," she said.

She said the fact that Leong only quit from the party's political bureau, instead of from the party itself, was proof that the party was united. Leong's quitting was his way of sparking a debate within the party, she noted. 

Meanwhile, both Gan and Chee wanted Leong to be fielded as Selayang MP candidate in the next polls.

They urged Leong, who expressed his wishes not to contest in the election, to change his mind.