KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — After quitting Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), party founder Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman claimed around 1,000 members would follow suit.
Kamarul, who is a former PPBM supreme council member, claimed that several party members had approached him, expressing intentions to leave the party.
“As a founder of PPBM, I see that the direction of the party has drifted from its principles,” he was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times.
Kamarul, who is currently the president of Gabungan Kepimpinan Celik Minda (GKCM), also claimed that those planning to part ways with PPBM were planning to join his group.
“From the beginning, I have seen that the party fails to elect a credible head of division. The party leaders, too, do not respect our views.”
Kamarul cautioned that the party will be destroyed if cronyism continues to be practised within the party.
“It is very disappointing, especially when you had high hopes that the party would bring change, but could not deliver its promises.”
He then took a swipe at PPBM leaders, urging them to be a gentleman in politics. “If they do not like the government, change it in the next general election,” he said.
Last month, PPBM founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said members who are uncomfortable with its leadership are welcomed to leave the party.
Dr Mahathir also said that PPBM was not going to force any of its members to stay and pointed out that division heads will not necessarily be candidates for the upcoming 14th general election.
Recently, it was reported that some 30 PPBM members in Dungun had declared to quit the party and rejoin Umno.
