[UPDATED] Kelantan Umno cuts ties with Bersatu, tells PAS to choose sides

KUALA LUMPUR – Kelantan Umno has officially cut ties with Bersatu – a decision supported by 12 out of 13 divisions – ahead of the party’s general assembly this weekend.

It also told its Muafakat Nasional partner, PAS, to make a clear and urgent choice between Bersatu and Umno ahead of the general election.

This comes after a chapter meeting yesterday, which saw the attendance of the divisions. The Tanah Merah division is still suspended.

Kelantan Umno has a total of 14 divisions.

Its secretary, Akbar Salim, in a statement today said 12 divison chiefs agreed to the proposal, which will see the end of the chapter’s relationship with Bersatu, a party headed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Akbar said the chapter supports the leadership of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Ketereh Umno’s stand that was sent to the president is an isolated case as it did not go through the state Umno liaison body.”

Ketereh is headed by Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who was removed as Barisan Nasional secretary-general in January.

On March 20, Ketereh Umno said it had sent Zahid a letter that outlined its stance and signed by 30 committee members.

The Tanah Merah division is still suspended and Ketereh, led by Annuar, sent Zahid a letter on March 20 that outlined its stance and signed by 30 committee members.

Annuar, who is Federal Territories minister, had said among the pledges included in the letter was the continuous support for Perikatan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

His detractors often accuse him of favouring Muhyiddin’s administration over Umno.

In recent months, some Umno leaders and warlords have outright told Annuar to leave Umno and join Bersatu after he remains adamant in defending the PN administration. – The Vibes, March 24, 2021