by FAYYADH JAAFAR / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

PLANTATION Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin (picture) says she is leaving Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM). 

The Ampang MP also said that she will be meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss her resignation from the Cabinet.

However, she will remain supportive of the Ismail Sabri-led government, in line with PBM’s stance.

“I will also discuss with him the role and direction of PBM in strengthening the Malaysian Family government. I have full confidence in the wisdom of the PM,” she said.

She thanked Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri for their trust in appointing her as a Cabinet minister.

In a statement today, Zuraida said her decision to resign was not easy, but she had thought long and hard about it.

She said she gathered feedback from her close supporters, voters in Ampang, colleagues in the government, representatives from civil society organisations, as well as those from the business and corporate sectors.

“I see a lot of potential in PBM, especially at a time when Malaysians are tired of old politics, which stifles the progress of the country. God’s willing, my participation as well as experience will help steer PBM to greater heights, especially ahead of the upcoming general election. My participation will also help fill the void of women’s leadership in the country.

“Since its establishment, PBM has been getting stronger and now has several MPs and state assemblymen in its ranks,” Zuraida said.

Zuraida is currently in Turkey following an invitation to speak at the opening ceremony of the Seventh Pioneers Conference for the Global Women’s Coalition for Al-Quds and Palestine.

This conference will be for three days from May 27, 2022, after which she will be going to Athens, Greece, to fulfil an invitation from the Malaysian Timber Council for the business mission and development of the Malaysian timber market.

She will return to Malaysia on June 2, 2022.