'If PM wants Zuraida, use Umno's quota instead of stealing from Bersatu'

'If PM wants Zuraida, use Umno's quota instead of stealing from Bersatu'


Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should use the ministerial quota from Umno instead of “stealing” from Bersatu if he wants to maintain Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin in the cabinet.

This is according to Ampang Bersatu division leader Mohd Isa Mohd Saidi who described Zuraida as someone without principles and shame for the sake of keeping her position and wealth.

“Zuraida has no principles. She used to be among the strongest critic of the leadership of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, but today they are Zuraida’s lifeline.

“There is no reason for the prime minister to maintain Zuraida by stealing from Bersatu’s quota.

“If the prime minister wants to throw a lifeline to Zuraida, he should drop one of the ministers from Umno’s quota, and not steal from Bersatu’s quota,” Isa said in a statement today.

He further criticised Zuraida, saying that he was not surprised by her joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) as its president-designate.

She has always wanted to hold a high position in the party quickly, without going through the electoral process, even when she was in Bersatu, Isa said.

However, he said the Ampang MP did not focus on helping the party or the rakyat after she was appointed to Bersatu’s supreme council.

“All her actions are for the small groups of cronies who are with her only, and not for the party or the rakyat.

“That is why we have always been firm that there were no party members who followed the ‘Zuraida Move’. In fact, not a single branch was closed down under the Ampang division where Zuraida once was,” Isa added.

Meeting next week

Zuraida had announced she was quitting Bersatu to join PBM last month and would meet with Ismail Sabri soon to discuss her position in the cabinet.

Earlier today, she had also expressed her hopes that she would be able to keep her cabinet post.

Ismail Sabri had said he would meet with Zuraida next week on this matter but that she will continue to carry out her ministerial duties in the meantime.

Bersatu is pushing for Zuraida to be dropped from the cabinet with party president Muhyiddin Yassin seeking to meet with Ismail Sabri to discuss her replacement.