Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general Shahruddin Md Salleh denied the claims of favouritism within the party by former Bersatu leader Kamarulazman Habibur Rahman.

"With regard to Kamarulazman's claims that there is a favouritism culture in appointing Bersatu division chiefs which caused him to quit the party, Bersatu denies these allegations," Shahruddin said in a statement today.

He said that any leadership appointments were done based on thorough consultation with all stakeholders in the party.

Even Kamarulazman (photo) was appointed as the Teluk Kemang Bersatu division chief after discussions with various parties at the grassroots level, he added.

"The top leadership of Bersatu is trying their best in appointing the division chiefs by taking into account the contribution of any candidates, their experience, their leadership skills and their popularity with the local community," Shahruddin said.

He thanked Kamarulazman for his contributions and sacrifice to the party and wished him well for his future endeavours on behalf of Bersatu leaders.

Kamarulazman, one of the founding members of Bersatu, had announced yesterday that he was quitting Bersatu and relinquishing all his posts within the party.

He had claimed that the party had diverted from its original fight and practices cronyism and caste system.

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Rahman had also denied this claim yesterday.