JELI: A Jeli Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) division leader has denied that its eight branches have been dissolved after nearly 1,000 members left the party recently.
Division chief Jummaalin Zaiton said the party's division remained strong with more than 7,000 members in 57 branches still active.
"The recent statement by one of the division leaders that eight of 18 branches were dissolved after nearly 1,000 members decided to leave the party is baseless.
"At the moment, no Bersatu branch in Jeli was dissolved. This is because those who have left the party are ordinary members who have big dreams.
"They are also the hardcore supporters of the Jeli member of Parliament who has betrayed the party," she said in a statement.
Jummaalin said the upcoming Nenggiri by-election may have influenced their decision.
"Certain political parties have taken the opportunity to gain support and want to bring down Bersatu. This kind of strategy is outdated because it happens often during election season," she added.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Bersatu chief Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor said a Bersatu member has no authority to dissolve a division.
"Only the Bersatu Supreme Council has the authority (to dissolve a division)," he added.
On Wednesday, it was reported that eight of the 18 Bersatu branches in Jeli were dissolved after nearly 1,000 of their members decided to leave the party.
The eight branches include Lawang, Asahan, Batu Gajah, Kuala Balah and Nibong. They were considered dissolved as they did not have enough members to constitute a branch.
The members chose to leave the party and expressed their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Former Kedai Kuala Balah Bersatu deputy chief Rodzi Muhammad, the spokesman for the group, said that a lack of confidence in Bersatu's leaders, especially during the nomination day in Nenggiri recently, prompted them to leave Bersatu.