Perlis MB Abu Bakar stripped of party posts after Bersatu issues two-term suspension

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has suspended Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah for two terms, effective Oct 13.

Perlis Bersatu state chairman Izizam Ibrahim confirmed the punitive action today, acknowledging that the formal notification letter was served on Abu Bakar last week after an internal disciplinary inquiry, Berita Harian reported.

The confirmation comes after a copy of the confidential dismissal notice surfaced online and circulated aggressively across social media channels over the past 48 hours. Izizam moved quickly to dismiss rumours that he leaked the document to the public.

“Yes, it is true that the letter was issued last week, but I was not the one who circulated it. The menteri besar is also already aware of the suspension letter.

“For now, we are waiting for an official decision from the Bersatu central leadership as well as the PAS state assemblymen,” he said.

The letter, dated Oct 14, 2026, was signed by Bersatu disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan. The notice formally conveyed the board’s decision to penalise Abu Bakar, who also serves as the party’s Kangar division chief.

According to the document, the board convened on Oct 13 and invoked Clause 22.5 of the Bersatu Constitution to freeze Abu Bakar’s membership rights across two successive party election terms. The sanction followed findings that he had breached Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution alongside the party’s statutory Code of Ethics and Conduct for Members.

With the disciplinary action in place, Abu Bakar has been immediately stripped of all internal party positions and barred from issuing public statements on behalf of Bersatu throughout his suspension.

The notice give the embattled menteri besar 14 days to contest the sanction and file a formal petition with the Bersatu appeals board.