12 Gua Musang Bersatu Branches Closed, 480 Members Join UMNO - Ahmad Zahid

GUA MUSANG, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- A total of 12 Bersatu branches in Gua Musang have been completely closed after 480 members left the party to join UMNO today.

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi received the membership forms from the former Gua Musang Bersatu deputy chief Che Ariffin Hussin.

Ahmad Zahid said he was informed that the members decided to leave Bersatu because they had lost their confidence in the party leadership after it fielded a former PAS member to contest the Nenggiri state seat to represent Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“PAS not only rides on Islam but also rides on its political partner, Bersatu,” he told reporters after receiving the forms at the meet-the-voters event in Kampung Jerek, here.

The Nenggiri state by-election sees a straight fight between BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, representing the Unity Government and PN candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail who is contesting under the PAS logo.

Ahmad Zahid said fielding Mohd Rizwadi, former Gua Musang PAS Youth Wing deputy chief, was a tactic to confuse voters.

Meanwhile, Che Ariffin confirmed that all 12 Bersatu branches involved have been completely closed.

The by-election was called after the Kelantan State Assembly speaker was informed that its representative, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, had ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.

The Election Commission has set the polling day for Aug 17, while early voting on Aug 13 will not be held, as all 14 voters have applied for postal voting.

The Nenggiri state constituency has 20,259 registered voters, including 20,245 ordinary voters and 14 police officers.

-- BERNAMA