Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin today said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is free to retain Plantations and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin in the cabinet, so long as Bersatu’s ministerial quota remains.
Muhyiddin said it has been two weeks since Zuraida (above) announced her departure from Bersatu to Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and he is still waiting to meet Ismail Sabri to discuss her replacement.
"Zuraida can hope (to remain in the cabinet) but the main issue is that the prime minister must decide.
"For sure he (Ismail Sabri) has to respect what I said. He has a right to appoint Zuraida in whatever position, but no one can take Bersatu's quota," Muhyiddin said.
He was speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur after attending a dialogue session hosted by the Malaysian Future Institute.
"Who knows, maybe he wants to create a new ministry for Zuraida, for her to be whatever, that is his right," said the National Recovery Council chairperson.
Muhyiddin added that he has prepared the name of Zuraida's replacement but has not submitted it to Ismail Sabri.
On May 26, Zuraida announced her decision to leave Bersatu and join PBM, saying she would discuss her resignation as a minister with the prime minister.
Ismail Sabri then said he will decide on the matter after he meets the Ampang MP, who has since been appointed as PBM’s "president-designate".
Matters arising in Bersatu
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said Bersatu supreme council member Azmin Ali has contacted Zuraida's deputy, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin, over the latter's reported application to join Sarawak-based Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
"I believe if Willie were to meet with Azmin and myself, we will be able to resolve any matters arising.
"We have given him support, position, I don't understand if there are any other reasons," Muhyiddin said.
Willie and Zuraida were among 10 MPs who defected from PKR in February 2020.
Following this, he was made deputy minister during Muhyiddin's administration and the current Ismail Sabri administration. - Mkini
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