PETALING JAYA: Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin (pic) has quit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), giving the fledging party its third MP.However, her status as plantation industries and commodities minister is still unknown.
“I will meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob soonest to discuss my resignation as minister,” said the former Bersatu supreme council member in a press statement.
“I will also discuss with him the role and direction of PBM in strengthening the Keluarga Malaysia government. I have full confidence in the wisdom of the honourable Prime Minister.”
Zuraidi was among 11 PKR MPs who quit after the “Sheraton Move” which brought down the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020. She later joined Bersatu.
She is now in Turkey to speak at the opening ceremony of the Seventh Pioneers Conference for the Global Women’s Coalition for Al-Quds and Palestine.
Zuraida is expected to return to the country on June 2 after taking part in the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) for the Business Mission and Development of the Malaysian Timber Market.
PBM’s two other MPs are party president Larry Sng of Julau and Steven Choong of Tebrau. Both left PKR in February 2021.
The party also has five assemblymen.
Bersatu, which is headed by president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, now has 31 MPs.
Zuraida said that after in-depth consideration, she decided on PBM as she believes in its struggles.
“I am very attracted to its core principles of multiracial engagement, women empowerment, youth empowerment, economic development, education and the advancement of science and technology as elements to make Malaysia a developed country,” she said.
The Ampang MP said she saw a lot of potential in PBM, especially as Malaysians were tired of the “old politics” which she said stifled the country’s progress.
“My participation will also help fill the void of women leadership in the country, she said, adding that her experience could help steer PBM to greater heights.
Zuraida said her stance as the MP for Ampang was in line with that of PBM’s, which supports the government of the day led by Ismail Sabri.
PBM secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad confirmed late yesterday that the party had received a membership application from Zuraida.
However, he said the application would have to go through all the due processes.
“Her application will need to go through the relevant processes including discussions with the supreme council.
“A decision will be made shortly after,” he said in a statement.
“This further strengthens our confidence that our multiracial party’s six core pillars continue to be well received by those from various levels and further boosts our spirit to continue working hard for Bangsa Malaysia,” he said.