ZURAIDA Kamaruddin remains a minister for now and can still attend the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today. 

The prime minister said he has yet to make any decision on Zuraida and would wait until he meets her. 

“She can still attend the next cabinet meeting, She has not resigned yet and I have not sacked her either. 

“The final decision is mine to make. Since it’s still too early to decide, because I have yet to meet her, I won’t comment any further. 

“Wait for me to return (to Malaysia), call her up for a meeting, and discuss the matter with her. Then I will decide,” he said during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan. 

Ismail also said he took note of the views of various people on Zuraida’s exit from Bersatu as well as her readiness to resign from the cabinet. 

On Thursday, the Ampang MP announced she was leaving Bersatu to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), and was ready to step down as plantation industries and commodities minister. 

She added that she would be meeting Ismail “soonest to discuss my resignation”, adding that she and PBM would continue to support the government of the day. 

Since her announcement, Umno had asked the prime minister not to keep her in the cabinet and instead give the portfolio to the party. 

Bersatu, on the other hand, said it will be nominating a new candidate to take over Zuraida’s place.

Ismail also alluded he may not agree to Zuraida’s decision to resign as minister. 

“Even when I meet her, I am not sure what decision that I will make. She remains a minister until I decide to accept her resignation, and if I want to replace her with another person,” he said. – May 28, 2022.