Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the cabinet meeting today did not discuss the matter of Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, who had announced her departure from Bersatu to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) last month.
Her position as a minister is currently in question as it was by virtue of a Bersatu quota. As she has yet to officially join PBM, she is considered an independent minister right now.
“That was not discussed,” Hishammuddin briefly replied when asked about the Zuraida issue.
Hishammuddin was speaking at a press conference after attending the pre-launch of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) Exhibition 2023 at the Wisma Pertahanan in Kuala Lumpur today where he was also accompanied by Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong.
Zuraida had said on June 2 that she will meet with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob soon to discuss her position in the cabinet and will subsequently hold a press conference on this matter.
She had also said she will continue supporting Ismail Sabri’s government.
Price hikes
In another development, Hishammuddin said the cabinet meeting has prioritised the issue of price hikes of goods such as chicken and eggs.
“That is a priority. That has been on the cabinet agenda for the last three weeks,” he said.
However, when asked if they have made any decisions on the matter, Hishammuddin left it to the relevant ministers to reveal any updates.
“I think you better ask the ministers involved. I don’t think you want to ask the defence minister about the price of chicken,” he quipped.
The price of poultry had risen since last year as the cost of production had increased, mostly due to pricier grain feed which is mostly imported.
Earlier at the event, Hishammuddin and Wee pre-launched the Lima Exhibition 2023, which is set to take place from May 23 to 27, 2023.
He said the Lima Exhibition next year is timely, as the country seeks to rejuvenate its economy after two years of lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
About 600 exhibitors from over 20 countries are expected to participate this time around with an estimation of between 45,000 to almost 250,000 public visitors. - Mkini
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