Kelantan Pakatan Harapan chief Husam Musa says he is open to former international trade minister Mustapa Mohamed joining the coalition after his exit from Umno yesterday.
In a statement, Husam described Mustapa's move as "logical" and appropriate for any rational leader.
"Mustapa's move should be welcomed," he said today, adding that Harapan should be open to accepting elected representatives who are seen in a positive light.
Kelantan Umno Youth, however, said that after leaving the party, Mustapa should relinquish his Jeli parliamentary seat and his Ayer Lanas state seat.
Its chief Noor Hariri Mohamed Noor described the Umno supreme council member's departure as shocking and expressed regret that he left without any discussion.
"It defies logic, and we express regret as this should not have happened with a leader who is seen as having a high degree of integrity.
"Umno Youth also urges Tok Pa to resign as the Jeli MP and the Ayer Lamas state representative as he had contested under the BN ticket in the 14th general election.
“We do not want to be emotional by making such calls, but the rights of the electorate in both constituencies who had voted for BN should also be protected," he said in a statement.
Noor Hariri also insisted Kelantan Umno Youth would be undeterred by this latest setback, and would explain the current situation to the grassroots.
Immediately after news broke of Mustapa's exit, former Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Rafii also called on Mustapa to give up his parliamentary seat yesterday.
Mustapa had announced that he made the decision to leave Umno after 40 years because the party was veering away from the inclusivity and moderation he believes the party should stand for.
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