Time for Zuraida to call it quits, say analysts

It is time for former Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin to plan for her political retirement, say analysts.

Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Mohamad Tawfik Yaakub is among those with this view, following the dismissal of Zuraida from Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) along with ten other members allied to her.

Tawfik said Zuraida (above) already sealed her own political fate when she betrayed PKR and Pakatan Harapan two years ago.

“Zuraida’s movement was no longer relevant in national politics after she betrayed PKR, or Harapan as a whole, due to her part in the Sheraton Move.

“She also failed to identify her political direction after losing in the 15th general election.

“So, for me, there is no need for Zuraida at this time, whether it’s joining any political party to increase her credibility or improving the rakyat’s trust in her. This is the result of her losing the trust factor among the rakyat,” he told Malaysiakini.

Tawfik said this when commenting on Zuraida's political future after being fired from PBM.

Yesterday, PBM fired Zuraida amid a leadership tussle with founding president Larry Sng.

Zuraida Kamaruddin and Larry Sng (right)

Zuraida was supposed to be the president-designate according to a decision by the party’s supreme council but Sng invalidated the move and sacked the former, along with her allies.

Meanwhile, Tawfik said there does not seem to be a future for Zuraida in other parties either as the former PKR vice-president is now seen as a burden.

“Zuraida can no longer be politically active as she will be a burden to whichever party she joins,” he said.

Tawfik said establishing another party is also not an option for Zuraida given the current political landscape in Peninsular Malaysia.

He pointed out that even two-time prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had failed with his Pejuang party and Gerakan Tanah Air coalition, which lost badly in GE15.

“In the end, he (Mahathir) slipped and lost, and was seen as no longer able to go against the current of the country’s politics,” he added.

Forming a small party?

Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian thinks Zuraida still has a chance to be active in politics, at least for the time being.

According to Sivamurugan, Zuraida can possibly return to PBM by questioning the legality of her dismissal to the Registrar of Society (ROS).

“The reason is that before the election, they both admitted that they were the leaders of the party,” he said.

In addition, he said, Zuraida can still work with the Muafakat Nasional non-governmental organisation led by former Umno leader Annuar Musa.

“Thirdly, if she does not want to be seen with Muafakat Nasional, which is considered a non-governmental body, then it is necessary to build a new political party to enable her to remain active in politics,” he said.

However, Sivamurugan believes that all three options are quite difficult for Zuraida.

He said despite Zuraida having staunch supporters, their numbers are few and it would be difficult to form a new party.

“It’s true that she lost her deposit and lost the last election but she also has supporters who are loyal to her. So, by opening her own party, she may get more followers.

“But, to become a mainstream party, it may be difficult right now. It may be possible to be a small party for now,” he said.

Zuraida Kamaruddin campaigning during the 15th general election

Sivamurugan added that Zuraida should avoid taking part in any state election for now and should focus on rebuilding instead.

“For now, she should think more about strengthening her position rather than competing and also facing the same dilemma.

“GE15 was just finished and she has been called all sorts of names since.

“Perhaps, she needs to clean up her image first so that her position is clearer and she is not faced with the same situation as some other leaders,” he said.

A sound defeat

In the recent GE15, Zuraida failed to defend her Ampang parliamentary seat, which she held for three terms, on a PBM ticket. She only received 4,598 votes and lost her deposit as a result.

In contrast, the former PKR leader defended the seat with a 41,956-vote margin in 2018’s GE14, when Harapan overthrew the BN government. Zuraida was then appointed to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s cabinet.

However, she was then sacked from PKR along with former party deputy president Azmin Ali after joining Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin in the Sheraton Move political coup.

Zuraida later joined Bersatu as well and retained her ministerial position in the cabinet of former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

She then left Bersatu and joined PBM last May. - Mkini