Wan Saiful: Zuraida's exit from Bersatu expected

 

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin's exit from Bersatu was not unexpected, said party information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

In a post on his Facebook page, Wan Saiful said the party's political bureau previously had already made a decision about Zuraida's position in the party and issued a show-cause letter.

He did not elaborate on the decision nor the show-cause letter.

"Therefore, to me, Zuraida's actions are not a surprise. It was expected.

"At a time when the entire country is focussing on political stability, it seems Zuraida is acting based on her self interest," he said.

Zuraida’s replacement

Wan Saiful added that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin would be nominating someone from the party leadership as Zuraida's replacement as the plantation industries and commodities minister.

Wan Saiful Wan Jan

When Zuraida announced her departure from Bersatu this morning, she said she would "discuss her resignation" with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in due time.

Both Ismail Sabri and Zuraida are currently abroad. Zuraida said she would return on June 2.

Zuraida, 64, said she was leaving Bersatu to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia because of the latter's multiracial ideals, among others.

She did not describe a push factor in her decision.

Her migration from a larger party to an obscure one, coupled with a likely removal from cabinet, comes as a low point in Zuraida's career.

During the second Mahathir Mohamad administration, Zuraida was one of the nation's most powerful women as she was both the vice-president of a party with the most MPs and the minister for local government and housing. - Mkini