BERSATU will forward a name to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as a replacement for Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is quitting the cabinet, Muhyiddin Yassin said.

The Bersatu president said as the Ampang MP was from the party, Bersatu will nominate a lawmaker from within its ranks to take her spot in the cabinet. 

“I will propose a name to the prime minister soon,” he said today, adding that Zuraida had been appointed under Bersatu’s quota. 

Zuraida had this morning said she was quitting the cabinet and would join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

“I will also discuss with him the role and direction of PBM in strengthening the Keluarga Malaysia government. I have full confidence in the wisdom of the honourable prime minister,” she said. 

Zuraida previously defected from PKR to Bersatu, a move that led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020.

She was appointed minister in the subsequent Perikatan Nasional government, a role she retained after Muhyiddin was replaced by Ismail in August last year.

Muhyiddin said Bersatu knew that Zuraida was involved in PBM. 

He said the party had discussed her position in Bersatu following reports Zuraida was involved in PBM’s formation. 

“In the wake of those reports, we issued a show-cause letter to her on May 9, which she replied on May 23. 

“Our next step was to refer her to the party’s disciplinary board. However, since she announced her departure from the party today, her membership has been terminated immediately,” he said in the statement. 

The Pagoh lawmaker thanked Zuraida for her contributions to the party. – May 26, 2022.