KUALA LUMPUR: Jeram state assemblyman Mohd Shaid Rosli has quit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) a day after its former chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the formation of a new Malay based party.
The Kuala Selangor Bersatu Division Chief also announced that he is now an independent state lawmaker aligned to Dr Mahathir.
His action was also echoed by the division's committee members, branch heads and the majority of Bersatu Kuala Selangor Division members, who quit en masse.
"We feel the party's struggle has deviated from its original objectives, namely the fight against a kleptocratic government as well as its struggle for the Malays," he said in a statement.
Shaid said he made the decision after finding that Bersatu was working with individuals who were rejected by the people in the last General Election (GE).
He also claimed that the party leadership did not get the views of the grassroots before deciding to form a new cooperation under Perikatan Nasional (PN).
"Most grassroots members do not accept the decision made by the party's Supreme Leadership Council (MPT)," he said.
Meanwhile, Shaid said he will remain as the Jeram state assemblyman who received the people's mandate in the last election.
"I, as the assemblyman elected by the people in Jeram, am responsible for the mandate and trust given. So I will remain with those who had given me the mandate until they make a decision in the next GE," he said.
In the 14the General Election Shaid wrested the traditional Barisan Nasional (BN)/Umno seat by a 1,191 vote majority beating Zahar Azlan Arifin of BN and Mohd Noor Mohd Shahar of PAS.