{
  "id": 6436519,
  "title": "Kangar Bersatu leaders quit in latest defections to hit Perlis chapter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/kangar-bersatu-leaders-quit-in-latest-defections-to-hit-perlis-chapter-6436519",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T14:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/09/kangar-bersatu-leaders-quit-in-latest-defections-to-hit-perlis-chapter"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Leaders from the Kangar Bersatu division have left the party to join Wawasan, amid growing dissatisfaction with the leadership. This follows a defector group's departure from the party just the day prior, citing similar grievances. The latest defections involve 90 of the 99 Kangar division branch chiefs, led by Kangar Bersatu deputy chief Faisol Rahman. Faisol stated they left \"amicably and with dignity\" due to a lack of confidence in Bersatu's central leadership. He explained that the group chose Wawasan because its direction and leadership were more in alignment with their expectations. Faisol emphasized the importance of trust between leadership and grassroots members, saying when that trust is eroded, it's time to take a stance. The defection does not include any Bersatu MPs or assemblymen in Perlis. The Hujong Tanjung branch, led by Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah, will remain with Bersatu. This comes after the appointment of Padang Besar Bersatu chief Izizam Ibrahim as the new Perlis chief, effective Sept 3, under Perlis Bersatu's previous leader Abu Bakar.",
  "summary": "Division committee and '90 branch chiefs' say they will join Wawasan.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}