PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin had been given a show-cause letter and dropped as an appointed member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s supreme council member three weeks before she quit the party to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

       Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the show-cause letter was sent to her on May 9, asking her to explain allegations of her involvement in PBM.

       He said she must be replaced as the plantation industries and commodities minister by another Bersatu figure, to be decided by party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       “The party president is responsible for determining who among Bersatu members becomes a part of the Cabinet, with the agreement of the Prime Minister.

       “So, if she is no longer a minister, the candidate for the post should be from the party,” he added.

       On the show-cause letter, Hamzah said Zuraida had been given two weeks to respond and did so in a letter dated May 23.

       Hamzah, who is also Home Minister, said Zuraida had explained that the setting up of PBM was not a new issue and that she rejected accusations that she was a member of the party, “as of now”.

       “Her ‘as of now’ was three days ago. I guess now we know (her stand),” he told reporters at the Immigration Department’s Hari Raya open house.

       Zuraida however has yet to officially inform Bersatu of her departure.

       Hamzah said the party president had, two weeks ago, agreed to replace her as an appointed supreme council member of Bersatu.

       “The decision was made after the show-cause letter was written but she was not informed as we were waiting for the response to the letter,” he added.

       Asked if Zuraida’s resignation affected Bersatu, Hamzah said she had failed to attend more than six meetings held over the past few months.

       “This shows that she doesn’t care. To me, she has shown her true colours and it is not about the party, it is not about coming together to pursue our agenda and struggles,” he added.

       Asked if Bersatu was anticipating other leaders leaving the party, Hamzah said such a move was normal.

       “What is important is if you are in the party, you will have to be committed and responsible. If you do not attend meetings, then of course you will not know the party’s agenda,” he said.

       Zuraida announced yesterday that she has quit Bersatu to join PBM.