Bersatu Padang Besar rocked as members from 14 branches quit party

PADANG BESAR: Members from 14 of the 24 Bersatu branches in Padang Besar have quit the party with immediate effect, effectively crippling the division. Padang Besar Bersatu deputy chief Ramzi Md Udi said the decision was made after they lost confidence in the party's central leadership. He said the mass resignations were reached through a consensus following discussions with division and branch leaders as well as their respective committee members. "Today, members representing 14 of the 24 branches announced their decision to quit the party. This means more than two-thirds of Bersatu branches in Padang Besar have been dissolved, and several more branches are expected to follow suit. "The decision was made after careful consideration. We no longer have confidence in the division, state and central leadership," he said at a press conference tonight. Also leaving the party were division deputy chief Ramli Aripin, acting division Srikandi chief Fazuwin Razak and division Srikandi Muda chief Nurul Hafiza Ramli. Ramzi said the group had also agreed to continue their political struggle by joining Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan), led by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. "For a clearer political future and in the interest of the people, we have chosen to move forward by joining Wawasan," he said. Ramzi also claimed that the appointment of Izizam Ibrahim as the new Perlis Bersatu chairman appeared to signal an agenda to further strain ties with Pas in the state.