Zuraida hasn’t applied to be PBM member, says party veep

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin may have announced her decision to quit Bersatu for Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), but the fledgling party today revealed that it has yet to receive a membership application from her. 

PBM senior vice-president I Steven Choong disclosed this to The Vibes just moments after Zuraida made her announcement via a statement today. 

Choong, who is Tebrau MP, said the matter was confirmed by party secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad, when asked on the role Zuraida will be playing in PBM. 

“We can only consider her role when we receive her application to be a member. Everyone has to go through the same process.”

Once an application has been received, Choong said the party is expected to call for a political bureau meeting. 

Earlier, Zuraida announced that she is joining PBM but will continue to support the Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led government, and that she would relinquish her position as plantation industries and commodities minister. 

She said her decision comes after months of deliberation, and that she believes in the struggles championed by the new party as well as its core principles of multiracialism, women and youth empowerment, focus on economic development, education and the advancement of science and technology. 

Choong believes Zuraida’s inclusion in PBM will boost the party’s image, which was only formed last November, particularly considering her role in championing women empowerment. 

“I can definitely see more women joining our party because of her,” he said. 

In February, Zuraida was recognised for her efforts in uplifting women with two overseas awards, the first a golden emblem from the Bangladesh University of Information Technology and Science, and the second a Gender Equality (Women Empowerment) Award from Dhaka-based University of Asia Pacific.

In May last year, Zuraida set up the Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders, comprised of women political leaders in the country, before going on to launch a new website called “Mothering” earlier this month as a medium to educate mothers on their rights, assist single mothers and ensure greater women empowerment.

According to Choong, while Zuraida has been contemplating for months over joining PBM, the timing of her announcement came as a surprise, as this was not communicated to the party earlier. 

“Just yesterday I spoke to her, and we talked about meeting up to discuss palm oil, but she made no mention at all about her decision (to join PBM).”

Choong said he believes the delay in Zuraida’s decision could be down to her focusing her attention on carrying out her ministerial role, noting her visits overseas in recent weeks. 

Zuraida has been rumoured to join PBM for months, but had brushed aside those speculations previously. – The Vibes, May 26, 2022