Kedah PH deputy chief Nor Azrina Surip said the state Umno leadership should just leave it to the central leadership of both coalitions to resolve the matter harmoniously.

“We’re better off leaving it to the federal leadership while those of us at the state level remain in the spirit of unity,” the Kedah PKR chief told FMT.

Azrina, a member of PKR’s central leadership council, said the leaders of both coalitions in Kedah should focus on improving their cooperation in preparation for the next general election.

“(PKR) heeds the views of our allies in the unity government, including the concerns raised by Kedah Umno leaders,” said the former MP.

Tengku Zafrul announced his exit from Umno on Friday and said he intends to join PKR. This led to calls for his resignation from his Cabinet post as well as for PKR not to accept him into the party.

Kedah Umno communications director Syed Johan Rizal Syed Unan Mashri had urged BN to review its alliance with PH if Tengku Zafrul becomes a PKR member.

He said it would be akin to “stealing” an Umno leader, drawing comparisons with others defecting to Bersatu in the past.