PONTIAN: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is in no position to make demands to the Prime Minister as the party is in a “weak” state after Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin quit, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

       The Umno secretary-general said that Zuraida leaving Bersatu to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) showed that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s party was getting weaker.

       ALSO READ: Zuraida quits Bersatu to join PBM

       "If the anti-party hopping law had been enforced, Zuraida would not have left Bersatu," he claimed.

       The Pontian MP added that the Bill must be tabled in the next Parliament meeting in July even if there would not be any special sitting.

       Ahmad said this when met during former Johor mentri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house held at Dewan Jubli Intan here on Friday (May 27).

       "When Bersatu lost its MP and wanted the ministerial post to be given to them, it should not pressure the Prime Minister as the party has no right to do so.

       "It is not getting stronger but weaker instead. Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob should be given the freedom as it is his prerogative as the Prime Minister," he added.

       Ahmad also said the 15th General Election could be called anytime as the country has almost reached the end of its mandated five-year period after the 2018 General Election.

       ALSO READ: Muhyiddin to pick Zuraida's replacement in Cabinet, says Wan Saiful

       "This is the fourth year after the last general election and Umno is making preparations as GE15 can be held anytime soon," he added.

       On Thursday (May 26), Zuraida, who was also the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, announced that she had left Bersatu and would join PBM.

       "God-willing, I will meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob soonest to discuss my resignation as a minister," she said in a statement.

       PBM’s two other MPs are party president Larry Sng of Julau and Steven Choong of Tebrau. Both left PKR in February 2021.

       Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan had said Muhyiddin would be nominating one of the party’s leaders as a Cabinet replacement following Zuraida’s resignation from the party.