KANGAR: Embattled Perlis Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah says that his relationship with Bersatu leaders remains good amid uncertainty over his position.
He said political differences should not overshadow the need to maintain stability in the state.
"Politics is politics – but what matters most is the stability of the state, the economy and ensuring that the people benefit," he told reporters after an event here on Thursday (Oct 29).
Perlis has 15 state assembly seats, with three – Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji – still vacant following the removal of three PAS assemblymen in December 2025.
PAS has six assemblymen, Bersatu (five) and PKR (one). Perlis executive council seats are held by five Bersatu assemblymen, including Abu Bakar.
However, Abu Bakar and two other state executive councillors, Datin Marzita Mansor and Megat Hashirat Hassan, are said to be aligned with Wawasan president Hamzah Zainudin.
The remaining two Bersatu assemblymen are Izizam Ibrahim, who is the state Bersatu chairman and state youth information chief Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak.
"As far as we are concerned, we will remain firmly in the Perikatan state government," he said.
He said he met PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan in Kuala Lumpur three days ago, adding that the political turmoil would be solved and now be taken up at the highest level.
Abu Bakar resigned as a Bersatu supreme council member in July.
His membership in Bersatu was suspended effective Oct 13 for two party elections.
The party disciplinary board decided to suspend Abu Bakar for breaching Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution.
He was stripped of all party posts but he can still appeal.
