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 bes...