Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia vice-president Hamidah Othman has admitted to an internal problem plaguing the party in Perak.

The former Perak state exco member, who is one of the founders of the party in the state, said the problem was as a result of factionalism from grabbing for party posts.

“I must admit what is true, the reality we see is that there is factionalism in the party. This is creating the problem. I feel what is happening now is the result of the problem of cronyism. There is too much provocation between one group against another.

“For example, the party's presidential council meeting had proposed a particular name as division head but when it is announced, another person is named. This involves honour, not so much about post. You give one name but when announced it is someone else.

“The name is changed on the advice of the state party chief. This is the cause of it,” Hamidah told Malaysiakini when contacted.

She said this when asked to comment on the party's Batu Gajah division's women's wing head Zulaiha Sidek, who resigned from her post yesterday, saying she had lost trust with the party as there is problems plaguing Bersatu in Perak.

Asked about speculation that she may resign from Bersatu, Hamidah said this would not take place now.

“No, for the time being, no,” she replied curtly.

Hamidah also said that she has no power to resolve the problem in the state and hoped that party chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the party's central leadership would resolve this quickly.

The problem, she added, could be averted if the leaders were smart to handle it quickly.

“The central leadership should seriously look into the matter,” she said.

Meanwhile, Zulaiha said her decision to resign from the committee was to show a lesson to Perak Bersatu to resolve the internal party problem quickly.

Zulaiha emphasised that she only resigned from her post, as Batu Gajah division's women's chief, and not from the party.

“I resigned because I have lost faith as a result of a split happening in Perak Bersatu,” she said, adding that the leadership should take the initiative to resolve the problem and restore the party for its own benefit.

“I resigned only from that post, and I am not leaving the party,” Zulaiha added.

Malaysiakini is working to get a response from the Perak Bersatu chairperson and the party central leadership on this matter.

Meanwhile, Perak Bersatu chairperson Faizal Azumu has denied that the party was in turmoil in the silver.

He said the members are united and focussing its work for the general election.

“I do not see Perak Bersatu being in turmoil. The majority of the leaders and members are focussing on the general election. There are a few who are unhappy with the appointments made and trying to give the perception that the party is in turmoil here.

“This would not weaken us. Bersatu Perak is active and doing programmes and activities to increase the people's support to the party,” Faizal said, adding that there has been no factionalism.

All party members are firm in the party's struggle and are loyal to Mahathir, he added.