{
  "id": 16280120,
  "title": "Perikatan seeks talks with Perlis MB Abu Bakar snookered by two-term Bersatu suspension",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/perikatan-seeks-talks-with-perlis-mb-abu-bakar-snookered-by-two-term",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T04:09:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/24/perikatan-seeks-talks-with-perlis-mb-abu-bakar-snookered-by-two-term-bersatu-suspension/240412"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Perikatan Nasional (PN) is striving to resolve the political turmoil in Perlis by engaging in direct discussions with Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah, following his suspension from Bersatu for two consecutive election terms. PN Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, has formally written to Abu Bakar, requesting an urgent meeting to address the ramifications of the disciplinary sanction and maintain the stability of the state administration. Speaking at a press conference following a gathering in Kota Bharu, Takiyuddin, who also serves as PAS Secretary-General, emphasized that while Bersatu has frozen Abu Bakar's party rights, the incumbent remains a Bersatu member, restricting his ability to switch to another party. The disciplinary action, handed down by Bersatu's disciplinary board, stems from constitutional breaches. This development raises concerns about Abu Bakar's leadership in Perlis, which is the country's smallest state. The crisis persists despite a royal intervention in June, when Perlis' Raja, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, ordered Abu Bakar to administer the state until the end of the current legislative assembly term. The royal directive was issued after a significant internal divide in December, when five Bersatu assemblymen joined three rebel PAS lawmakers to withdraw their confidence from then-Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, leading to Abu Bakar's appointment. PAS subsequently withdrew from the state executive council, leaving the administration without formal PAS representation.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) leadership is aiming to broker a resolution to the political crisis...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "PN to meet Perlis MB after Bersatu suspension",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/pn-to-meet-perlis-mb-after-bersatu-suspension",
        "published": "2026-10-24T02:55:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}