Zuraida's departure has no effect on Bersatu, says Wan Saiful

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin’s departure from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will not create a gap in the party, which is already becoming stronger with increased support, says Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (pic).

The Bersatu information chief said in terms of her involvement in the party, the Ampang MP had already been absent from the party’s supreme council meetings several times before.

“Actually, talk of her agenda for a new party has been around for a while and it was learnt that she had also met party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin before to discuss this.

“But since we already have wings like Srikandi and Armada as well as divisions nationwide, Bersatu has enough structure and machinery to accommodate current needs.

“When she announced she was resigning to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), it was something we would have liked to avoid if we could, but it has happened and we move on.

“Bersatu is not affected by her departure, in fact the party is getting stronger, we can even see this influence growing in Sabah,” he said during a Bersatu gathering in the state capital on Saturday (June 4) night .

It is because of this growing support that the party has been particularly targeted by attacks from other parties, with Muhyiddin being the main target, he reasoned.

Wan Saiful said other parties were getting worried with their growing political affiliations that are being accepted by the people.

“While we did not have enough support to win in Melaka and Johor, it is growing and that is why other parties felt the need to attack us,” he said.

“The main target is Muhyiddin, I don’t think this is weird as he is the only leader with the credibility to compete for the prime minister’s post. So for the other parties, it’s very important to assassinate his character.

“This shows that our party is becoming more accepted and stronger, and we will ensure the increased support will be translated to votes,” he added.

Asked about his name being one of those mentioned to replace Zuraida as the Plantations Industries and Commodities Minister, he reiterated that in Bersatu, leaders do not depend on positions and are ready to serve whenever and in any capacity.

“For us, the process to replace Zuraida in the government, is firstly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s prerogative, and secondly, it is executed based on recommendations from the related party, in this context Bersatu.

“So let us leave it to Muhyiddin to name. For us, whoever is named from Bersatu, we will support and ensure the minister can carry out his or her duties,” he added.

On how the "big tent" approach was being considered to face the coming elections, he said on Bersatu's part, they were always open for discussions and actively working towards this.

“For us, what is important is political stability and also good governance for the country.

“So we must offer an alliance or a front, official or not, as an offer to Malaysians that carries the message that we want (to bring) change in the nation,” he added.

On another question, he said the Bersatu supreme council may hold its next meeting in June, and any official decisions would be announced after the meeting.