Srikandi exco member, four others quit Bersatu, but party is 'grateful'

Bersatu Srikandi exco member Zuraini Kamal and four others have quit the party due to "disappointment" with the party leadership, reported Berita Harian today.

The four are Pendang Srikandi chief Halimaton Saadiah Shah Mat, Pokok Sena Srikandi chief Rukiza Abu Bakar and Kuala Kedah Srikandi exco members Sopi Aziz and Fatimah Ahmad.

"The decision to let go of all the positions in the party was made because there are too many issues in the party, that was not handled by its leadership.

"The leadership also does not accept criticisms from the grassroots. If we try to give our views or criticise through the right channels, we will be sacked by the division chief," Zuraini was reported as telling a press conference in Alor Setar yesterday.

She added that such episodes usually resulted in a wing having two individuals holding the same positions.

"There was a time when there were two Srikandi chiefs appointed to the same division, which has never happened before. It disrupts the harmony at the division level," she said.

Zuraini also attributed the decision to the "dangerous" culture of slander in the party, where many party members had allegedly had their positions "set aside" or changed following allegations of misconduct, but without being given a chance to defend themselves.

She denied that they were paid by any quarters to quit Bersatu.

"We were informed that many others have quit Bersatu but have not gone public with it. It is true that Bersatu is just one year old, but its leaders are experienced. We urge them to listen to the grassroots to prevent a further exodus from the party.

"We are disappointed there have not been changes in the party," she added.

Zuraini said she was certain she and the four others will be labelled as traitors, and "dedak eaters" by the party, but "the truth has to be told, no matter how bitter it is."

'Cleansing process'

In an immediate response, Kedah Srikandi chief Halimaton Shaadiah Saad said she was grateful that the leadership and members of the three divisions chose to remain with the party.

"I am really grateful because the (leaders from the) three (divisions) exited voluntarily to make the Kedah Srikandi's quest to achieve its goal easier. 

"This is seen a cleansing process of the party from the group who lacked a clear focus in the party's struggle," she said on Facebook.

"The wing also sees this as an opportunity to put the state leadership lineup in order, and to appoint more qualified and suitable leaders to join the struggle," she wrote, adding that the quitting of the five would not weaken Bersatu's Srikandi wing or the party as a whole.

In May, more than 1,000 members in Perak reportedly quit the Umno splinter party en masse, while Batu Gajah Bersatu pro tem chief Mohd Shirin Adenan and the division's 18 committee members quit last month.

The exodus began earlier this year when co-founders Kamarulazman Habibur Rahman and Anina Saadudin, as well as vice-president Hamidah Osman exited the party.- Mkini