IPOH: Datuk Hamidah Osman said today she quit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) for its weak leadership which could not take her criticism.
The former PPBM vice-president said her decision was also triggered by unwarranted criticisms against her by its youth wing chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Hamidah said she was criticised for voicing out opinion and was even being muted for expressing her dissatisfaction to the party leadership.
"I expressed my views for the betterment of the party. I was dissapointed with the selection process for state chairman’s post, which I felt would not help in ensuring the party's success in Perak.
"Instead, I was labelled as greedy and being accused of eyeing the post for myself when I was already the vice-president.
"The struggle and work for the party was never easy and demanded high commitment, and I was one of those who lay the foundation here (Perak).
“It was an honour to serve in PPBM that would be nothing without (PPBM chairman) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad," she said when contacted.
Hamidah, who was also PPBM Gopeng divisional committee chief, said accusations hurled against her by Syed Saddiq had made her feel bitter.
"He had accused me of being a traitor and demanded that I leave the party.
“For someone whom I regard as a son, that was uncalled for. Despite this, nothing was done to curb this culture brought by Syed Saddiq.
"I had to make a difficult decision to leave the party for the good of everyone," she said.
On her future, she said she intended to rest from politics and had yet to make any plans on her next move.
Meanwhile, Perak PPBM chairman Ahmad Faizal Azumu said Hamidah's departure would not affect preparations for the next general elections.
"I have instructed the Gopeng deputy chief to call for its committee meeting, which they did on Sunday.
“They have also suggested a list of candidates to the top leadership. Pakatan Harapan will decide on it," he said when contacted.