Kangar Bersatu division deputy chief Faisol Rahman and 90 of the division’s 99 branch chiefs have announced their immediate departure from the party, along with the division committee and youth wing leadership.
The mass exodus also involves the Armada, Srikandi and Srikandi Muda leadership teams, including Armada Kangar deputy chief Mohd Firdaus Ismail and all Armada committee members.
Faisol, speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference in Kuala Perlis last night, said the decision followed careful consideration of developments within the party and feedback from grassroots members who had lost confidence in the central leadership.
“This decision was made after careful deliberation, taking into account current developments and the views of the grassroots, who have lost faith in the central leadership,” he said.
Faisol said the group had spent considerable time building Bersatu at the grassroots level but felt trust in the party leadership had now eroded.
He added that several issues involving the party’s direction, organisational management and leadership approach were no longer in line with the aspirations of division and branch leaders.
“The strength of a political party begins with trust between its leadership and grassroots members, and when that trust erodes, it is time for us to take a clear stand,” he said.
Following their departure, Faisol said the group would join Parti Wawasan Negara, led by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
However, the mass departure does not involve any Bersatu Members of Parliament or state assemblymen serving within the division’s committee.
Meanwhile, Perlis Bersatu leadership body chief Izizam Ibrahim described the resignations positively, saying they would allow the party to undergo an effective cleansing and strengthen its organisation in the state.
Izizam said Bersatu’s constitution stipulates that a resignation or vacancy within a division does not automatically dissolve the division.
Instead, he said, a new organising committee would be established to restructure and lead the division.
