[UPDATED] Zuraida quits cabinet, Bersatu to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has resigned as plantation industries and commodities minister as well as quit Bersatu to join fledgling Parti Bangsa Malaysia. 

In a statement today, the former PKR leader said she would continue to support the government led by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

She said her decision to join PBM stemmed from her belief in the struggles championed by the 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.

It is unclear yet what role Zuraida will play or what position she will hold in her new party, but she sees her participation as helping to fill the void of female leadership in the country.

“I see a lot of potential in PBM, especially at a time when Malaysians are tired of the old politics, which stifle the progress of the country.

“God willing, my participation as well as experience will help steer PBM to greater heights, especially ahead of the upcoming general election.”

Zuraida is currently in Turkey where she is set to speak at the opening ceremony of the Seventh Pioneers Conference for the Global Women’s Coalition for al-Quds and Palestine.

Rumours of her joining PBM have been going on for months, since the party was formed last November.

Speculation grew when some 50,000 members of non-governmental organisation Penggerak Komuniti Negara, which is linked to Zuraida, joined the party in December, although she had on multiple occasions brushed aside the rumours.

Zuraida said today her decision to join PBM was made after months of consideration, where she had gathered feedback from supporters, voters, government colleagues and industry players. 

She said she will be meeting Ismail Sabri soon to discuss her resignation as a cabinet member and the role and direction of PBM in the government, with recent talks of her party being part of Barisan Nasional. 

“I would like to thank Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri for their trust in appointing me as a cabinet member.

“Throughout my service, I have done my best and brought about numerous positive changes to the people and their lives. I also want to thank everyone for the solid support I received.” 

Zuraida was one of the 11 MPs, led by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, to quit PKR and Pakatan Harapan during the infamous Sheraton Move in February 2020 that led to the collapse of the then government. 

Julau MP Larry Sng was in January elected as PBM’s first president while Lembah Jaya assemblyman Haniza Mohamed Talha is deputy president, both former PKR members.

Zuraida had served as housing and local government minister under Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin, before being reshuffled under Ismail Sabri’s administration. 

She has been Ampang MP since making her parliamentary electoral debut in 2008, helming the seat for three consecutive terms.

With Zuraida’s departure, Bersatu now has 31 parliamentary seats. – The Vibes, May 26, 2022