PETALING JAYA: Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia membership was automatically nullified when she announced she was joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       The Bersatu president said Zuraida's expulsion was in accordance with Article 10 of the party constitution.

       "I wish her thanks for all her contributions to Bersatu.

       "I will name a new candidate to the Prime Minister to be appointed as a minister since Zuraida's ministership was on Bersatu's quota," said Muhyiddin in a statement on Thursday (May 26) evening.

       Zuraida, announcing her entry into PBM on Thursday (May 26) morning, also said she would inform Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob about her resignation as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.

       Muhyiddin said Zuraida's involvement in PBM was recently discussed in a Bersatu supreme council meeting.

       "There were reports that she was directly involved in setting up PBM and she also participated in their activities," said the Pagoh MP.

       The Perikatan Nasional chairman said following the reports, a show-cause letter dated May 9 was sent to Zuraida, which the Ampang MP replied to in a letter dated May 23.

       "The next step is to refer her case to the party's disciplinary board.

       "But since she announced she is joining PBM in a press statement, her membership in Bersatu has ceased with immediate effect," said Muhyiddin.

       Zuraida is currently 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 Malaysia on June 2 after participating in a Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) business mission.