BATU GAJAH: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Batu Gajah division is the latest group to join the list of members who have left the party, after clashing with the state leadership.
With the departure of its committee members, the division is the fifth to cease operation in Perak after Gopeng, Kuala Kangsar, Parit, and Teluk Intan.
Batu Gajah divisional committee chief Mohd Shirin Adenan in a press conference said the resignation of the division's 18 committee members would mean its closure with immediate effect.
He warned that leaders from six more divisions may follow suit, but refused to divulge details.
Citing the lack of confidence over the party's state leadership, Shirin said the 24 divisional committee chiefs had previously been sidelined in decision-making process.
"We were not consulted prior to the organisation of party programmes and the state chairman, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, did not touch base with the grassroots. He should be more proactive in addressing grouses of the members.
"The way he handles things is different from Datuk Hamidah Osman (former PPBM vice-president) who was one of the founders of PPBM in Perak. She would call us for meetings and kept us informed of the party affairs," he said.
Shirin said party members also demanded clarification on issues including the use of the name Armada for PPBM youth wing.
"The Registrar of Societies had recently pointed out that Armada was not included in the party constitution. This has caused confusion among members who want an explanation as the offence could cause it the party to be de-registered.
"Unfortunately, nothing was conveyed to us. We were left in the dark and we could not give satisfactory explanation to the members.
"I have met over 1,000 members whom I had registered under the division and most of them told me that they might also leave the party," he said, adding that he would not be joining another political party.
In an immediate reaction, Faizal when contacted said a state PPBM leadership meeting would be held next week to discuss the matter, as well as the party election machinery.
On the resignation of the Batu Gajah division committee members, he said: "I'm sad to hear of their decisions. I spoke to Shirin last night (Monday) and he told me it's a crazy idea for him to leave PPBM.
"Obviously, he was not telling the truth. He did not mention his displeasures towards my leadership during our conversation last night or even during our meetings."
Faizal said he would issue a press statement on the matter soon.
PPBM Ipoh Timur and Teluk Intan divisional committee chiefs Azrul Suhadi Ahmad Mokhtar and Jemaat Yaacob were among the earliest in Perak to announce their departure from the party in May, with several others following suit in the course of just a few months.
This included Hamidah, who was also Gopeng divisional committee chief, when she relinquished all her party posts in September.