Johor PKR has expressed regret over its affiliate Bersatu’s decision to absorb three state assemblypersons who recently quit Umno.

In a statement today, Johor PKR chief Hassan Karim said the move was disrespectful to the voters.

"The people voted Pakatan Harapan to defeat BN in the hope that we can implement the reform agenda. Reformasi has to be new and whole to produce a new Malaysia without Umno and BN.

"Recruiting former Umno individuals into Harapan can be seen as a betrayal of the people's mandate and a betrayal of the people's aspirations for change," he said.

"The fact is the three former Umno lawmakers will not bring any benefit to Harapan because we have a comfortable majority and we can administer the state without any help from former Umno leaders."

To date, Johor Bersatu has absorbed three assemblypersons who had quit Umno and sat on the independent bench for a short period of time.

During the May 9 general election, Harapan won 36 seats in the 56-seat assembly. DAP won the most seats (14), followed by Amanah (nine), Bersatu (eight) and PKR (five).

BN won 19 seats and PAS, one. Currently, Bersatu is the second biggest party in the Johor legislative assembly after DAP.