Zuraida has isolated herself from Bersatu, says party disciplinary board chief

PETALING JAYA: Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has isolated herself from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) on her own accord, says Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas.

The Bersatu disciplinary board chairman said this following speculation that the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister was joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

He added that while nothing was official yet, there will no point investigating or expelling Zuraida if the rumour was true.

"We would have no jurisdiction if she already left the party for another," he said when contacted on Thursday (Feb 3).

"It is freedom of association, which is a fundamental right under the Federal Constitution.

"What is there to investigate if she has already left the party?" he said.

A majority of Bersatu’s supreme council members are apparently prepared to give the boot because of her alleged links to PBM.

However on Wednesday (Feb 2), PBM secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad said they had yet to receive any application from Zuraida, who has remained silent over the claims against her since they surfaced at a Bersatu meeting on Jan 25.

Megat Najmuddin said that there was no point in bringing Zuraida before the party's disciplinary board as it would be akin to a publicity stunt.

"She will get cheap publicity. This is politics, and (such) publicity will be good for her but not for us in this case," he said.