BERSATU will not be affected by Zuraida Kamaruddin’s departure, said political leaders and an observer.

“Although about 4,000 PKR members left the party with her in 2020, not many joined Bersatu,” said Bersatu supreme council member Muhammad Faiz Na’aman.

“As such, I do not think it will impact us much.”

PKR will be more affected by Zuraida joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), as it is a multiracial party, he said.

“Bersatu is a Malay-based party, so it will not be too affected.”

Other former PKR lawmakers in Bersatu will not likely join the former plantation industries and commodities minister, he added.

“We had a supreme council meeting (on Tuesday) and Chong Fat Full and Edmund Santhara Kumar were present.

“So, I do not think other Bersatu lawmakers will join her (Zuraida).”

PBM president Larry Sng, at a press conference yesterday, said Zuraida has been named party president designate.

She will take the lead if I am unable to attend meetings, he added.

However, Zuraida did not field questions in her first press conference since announcing her resignation from Bersatu.

Political science lecturer Lau Zhe Wei said there will be no fallout following the departure last month.

“The only difference is the ministerial position; will it be filled by another Bersatu leader or will it go to Barisan Nasional?”

Although Zuraida helped Bersatu bring down Pakatan Harapan in 2020, she does not command much following in the party, he added.

“She did not increase the membership. She, instead, became a liability due to the instability she brought,” said the International Islamic University of Malaysia academic.

“In conclusion, I do not think Bersatu will lose anything, other than the ministership, from her resignation.”

A Bersatu division chief, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Zuraida may take with her several hundreds of supporters.

“But that is as far as it goes.

“My only concern is if PBM goes up against Bersatu in certain seats. This may affect a few hundred votes here and there.

“It may look small, but it may alter the final results as margins are very thin now due to multi-cornered fights.” – June 10, 2022.