Serian MP Richard Riot has defected to PKR's side, claims the party.

"PKR welcomes Richard Riot, Serian MP, into PKR," the party said on its official Facebook page this afternoon.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the Facebook posting.

Richard (photo) was an MP for SUPP, which is part of the GPS alliance in Sarawak.

He was formerly the human resources minister from 2013 to 2018.

If GPS were to side with interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is trying to form a new government, then the defection would have no impact on the balance of power as Harapan is already supporting Mahathir.

Sources indicate that GPS will likely support Mahathir but it has yet to make a formal announcement.