Perlis Menteri Besar, Exco resign from Bersatu's supreme council

KUALA PERLIS – Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah has relinquished his position as a member of Bersatu's Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) in order to focus fully on administering the state government, which has about a year remaining before the end of its term.

He said the decision was made due to time constraints in attending meetings at the central level, besides wanting to give full commitment to carrying out the development agenda and public welfare in Perlis.

According to him, the resignation will not affect his position as menteri besar of the state.

"I gave up that post because I could not give full commitment to the MPT amid the current busy schedule and issues in Perlis," he said on Thursday.

He said this when met after a reception for tourists arriving from Thailand in conjunction with the reopening of the Kuala Perlis-Satun waterway route in Kuala Perlis.

Abu Bakar explained that Sena assemblyman, who is also a state Exco member, Marzita Mansor had also made a similar decision after submitting her resignation letter as an MPT member last week.

He said he and Marzita held in-depth discussions on the matter and decided to give way to others to continue serving at the central level while they focused on service at the state level.

"This resignation does not affect her position in the party as she remains a Bersatu member, Bersatu Perlis leadership chief and Bersatu Kangar division chief with the permission of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin," he said.

He also denied that the decision had any connection to political pressure or speculation that he would be leaving the party.

He added that the decision had no connection to the political turmoil at the central level nor any intention of joining another party, as he remains bound by the Anti-Party Hopping Act.

"We have always received the best treatment from the president and the party without any issues," he said, adding that he wanted to strengthen the reorganisation of Bersatu's three divisions in Perlis following recent changes to several committees.

Meanwhile, Abu Bakar said he is striving to continue his responsibilities as menteri besar until the end of the State Legislative Assembly term, as decreed by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.

He said the state government is now prioritising efforts to attract more investment and ensure its set Key Performance Indicators are achieved within the coming months.

"InsyaAllah, there are several new plans that will be implemented in the near future to improve the wellbeing of the people and drive Perlis' development," he said.