Kangar Bersatu leaders quit in latest defections to hit Perlis chapter

A political party division within Perlis has decided to leave the main party, citing a loss of confidence in its leadership. The Kangar Bersatu division, along with its youth and women's wings, and 90 branch chiefs, have announced their decision to join another party called Wawasan. This move comes a day after 20 leaders and members of the Padang Besar Bersatu division withdrew from the party, expressing dissatisfaction with its leadership.

Kangar Bersatu deputy chief Faisol Rahman explained that they had chosen to leave Bersatu "amicably and with dignity" due to a mismatch between the party's direction, organisational management, and their leadership expectations. He further stated that the party's strength lies in the trust between its leadership and the grassroots, which had eroded in their case.

Faisol emphasized that they were leaving Bersatu due to a loss of confidence and joining Wawasan because they believed in a new direction. The defections involve all 99 branch chiefs of the Kangar division, but crucially, no Bersatu MPs or assemblymen from Perlis are part of this exodus. The Hujong Tanjung branch, led by Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah, will remain with Bersatu.

This development follows the appointment of Padang Besar Bersatu chief Izizam Ibrahim as the new Perlis chief of Bersatu, effective September 3. Bersatu's secretary-general, Azmin Ali, confirmed that this appointment, approved by party president Muhyiddin Yassin, took effect on that date. Previously, Perlis Bersatu was led by Abu Bakar Hamzah, who also serves as the Kuala Perlis assemblyman and resigned from Bersatu's Supreme Council on July 9.