KOTA KINABALU: Most of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s 25 divisions in Sabah are expected to close down in the coming days following the state leadership’s decision to leave the party en masse, with its Ranau division being the first to announce its dissolution.
With the exception of Beluran division, political observers will keep a close eye on how many of the party’s division will remain intact in the aftermath of the mass resignation.
The Beluran Bersatu division, whose chief and MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee will not be affected by the anticipated mass closure as he has declared that he would remain in the party.
Ranau Bersatu division headed by Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun was officially dissolved following a meeting at the Karanaan people’s service centre in Ranau yesterday.
Masidi, who chaired the meeting, said the move to dissolve the division and leave the party had been communicated to party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
“We joined Bersatu in a good way and of course when we decide to leave, it will definitely be in a good way.
“We respect and thank Bersatu for its services but this action needs to be taken to ensure political stability and the continued development of this state,” said Masidi, who was the Sabah Bersatu deputy chairman.
Following the disbanding of the division, the branches in Ranau will also be disbanded by their respective branch committees.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that Sabah Bersatu would leave en bloc and park “temporarily” as direct members of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) pending the formation of a new political party that would be part of GRS.
GRS and Sabah Barisan Nasional are in coalition in the state government.
Following the exodus of Sabah Bersatu members, Muhyiddin appointed Kiandee to lead and restructure the party in the state.
Despite Hajiji’s announcement, it is still not clear how many divisions and local party leaders were following him. Hajiji is GRS chairman and Masidi is secretary-general.
