Wan Saiful said Santhara only intended to relinquish his position as head of Bersatu’s associate wing.

“I just spoke to Santhara. He explained that he only wished to resign as head of the party’s associate wing.

“That was the content of the letter he sent. It wasn’t to resign from the party,” he told FMT.

Earlier, Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party would not be weakened if Santhara quit.

However, the home minister declined to confirm or deny whether he had sent in his letter of resignation.

Yesterday, FMT reported that Santhara, who is also the deputy tourism, arts and culture minister, had quit Bersatu as he did not see any future for non-Bumiputera MPs in the party.

A source said Santhara submitted a letter to Hamzah last week on his departure from the party.

Commenting further, Wan Saiful said Bersatu’s top leadership would consider Santhara’s request and advised the public and party members against believing in sources who have “ulterior motives”.

Efforts by FMT to reach the deputy culture, arts and tourism minister from yesterday to clarify his position have been unsuccessful.

Santhara joined Bersatu in August 2020 after the Sheraton Move and was appointed as the leader of the party’s associated wing.