KANGAR: Perlis Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah and state executive councillor Marzita Mansor have resigned from Bersatu's supreme leadership council to focus on their responsibilities in the state administration.
Abu Bakar said the decision was made after both concluded that they should devote their full attention to governing the state with about a year remaining before the current state administration completes its term.
He said stepping down from the party's top decision-making body would also allow others to continue serving at the national leadership level.
"We discussed the matter thoroughly before deciding to resign from the supreme council. We want to give others the opportunity to serve at the central level while we focus on serving the people of Perlis," he told reporters after a ceremony to mark the reopening of the Kuala Perlis-Satun ferry route at Kuala Perlis Jetty on Thursday (July 9).
Abu Bakar said his resignation was prompted by time constraints in attending meetings at the party's central level and his commitment to implementing the state's development agenda and safeguarding the welfare of the people.
"The resignation does not affect my standing in the party. I remain a Bersatu member, Perlis Bersatu chairman and Kangar Bersatu chief with the consent of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin," he said.
He added that Marzita, who is the Sena assemblyman, had submitted her resignation from the supreme council last week.
Abu Bakar dismissed speculation that the move was linked to political pressure or that he intended to leave Bersatu.
"This has nothing to do with the political situation at the federal level or any intention to join another party. We are also bound by the Anti-Party Hopping Act.
"We have always received the best support from the president and the party without any issues," he said.
He said he would continue serving as Mentri Besar until the end of the state's current term, in line with the wishes of the Raja of Perlis, Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.
Abu Bakar added that the state government was focused on attracting more investments while ensuring its key performance indicators (KPIs) were achieved over the coming months.
"God willing, several new initiatives will be rolled out in the near future to improve the people's well-being and accelerate the state development," he said.
