A founding member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has announced his decision to quit the party.

Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman relinquished his position as Bersatu supreme council member and other posts in the party.

“I have turned down the offer to be the Negeri Sembilan Bersatu liaison chairperson, and resigned as the organising secretary at the central level.

“I have also resigned as a supreme council member. Finally, I am withdrawing from being a member of Bersatu,” Kamarul Azman told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Kamarul Azman explained that he made this decision because he was disappointed by the direction the party was taking, as well as many internal issues.

"It's not that I'm disappointed I don't have many positions, I have many position.

"But I am disappointed that what we fought for from the beginning has been ruined by several individuals in the party who only cares about their position within the party and not to win the elections.

"When (Bersatu) first formed, it was not like this. Because the fight from the beginning was to set Malaysia on a path that would lead us to success," he said.

Class and caste

Without getting into details on the internal issues, Kamarul Azman claimed Bersatu now practices cronyism and caste system.

He added that an individual who was pioneer in the party and devoted effort and money to the party has been sidelined.

"Little by little, negative elements are beginning to seep into Bersatu. Many members question those mischief makers from Umno who jumped to Bersatu.

"I found that these negative behaviours were allowed in through the front door of Bersatu.

"I also realised that in Bersatu, there appears to be a difference in class and caste. A member will become higher in rank if they are known to the president, deputy president and secretary-general.

"I am very disappointed, the group who does the real work are treated like second-class. We haven't even gone that far yet, we already started practicing bias and cronyism," Kamarul Azman said.

He said he will now focus on reviving Gerakan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM) and on holding a nationwide roadshow to explain current issues.

"What is most important is that we will start reviving GKCM again and increase its influence," he said.

More will quit

Before the formation of Bersatu, GKCM was joined by Umno grassroot members who are seen to vocally question the party leadership.

Meanwhile, when asked if he had any intentions of contesting as an independent in the upcoming general elections, Kamarul Azman merely said there was no such plans for now.

Asked if his supporters would follow in his footsteps, former Teluk Kemang Umno division chief also said another press conference will be held soon to announce Negeri Sembilan Bersatu members quitting the party.

"As of last night, 821 people are planning on quitting the party. This is throughout the country but mostly from Negeri Sembilan," he said.