Zuraida to skip state polls, focus on Muafakat Nasional

 

Zuraida Kamaruddin stood under the Parti Bangsa Malaysia ticket in the last general election but failed to retain the Ampang seat. (Facebook pic)

KLANG: Former Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin does not intend to contest in any of the upcoming state elections and will instead back candidates from Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“As far as contesting is concerned, I’m taking a backseat,” she told FMT when asked if she planned to contest in the state polls as an independent or under the banner of another party.

Zuraida said this after attending an International Women’s Day function organised by Institut Wanita Berdaya here.

The former federal minister said for now, her focus was on helping the Muafakat Nasional NGO – which she joined in December – to solicit funds.

Zuraida was sacked by Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), along with 10 others, in December after failing to respond to a show cause letter issued by the party.

The former three-term MP stood as a PBM candidate in the last general election in a bid to defend her seat, but lost to Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Rodziah Ismail in a nine-cornered fight.

Zuraida later joined Muafakat Nasional, the NGO headed by Annuar Musa, and was made its deputy president in January.

Earlier this month, Zuraida said she would be supporting PN in the six state elections – which are likely to be held in the middle of the year – because of the alliance between PH and Barisan Nasional in the unity government. - FMT