Choong (left) at the press conference in JB on Wednesday.
JOHOR BARU: Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin will be an asset to newly-formed Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), says its vice-president Steven Choong Shiau Yoon.
Choong, who is also Tebrau MP, said PBM welcomed Zuraida with open arms and the belief that she would be a good addition to the party.
"Zuraida is a known public figure and leader. She is also one of the most hardworking ministers I know.
"We have no issue welcoming her into the party and so far, there has not been any opposition from party members as well.
"She will be an asset to us," he told a press conference at Jalan Indah Gemilang here on Wednesday (June 8) when asked to comment on Zuraida's announcement that she was quitting Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to join PBM.
The former PKR lawmaker also noted that Zuraida would be meeting with party president Larry Sng in the near future to discuss her entry into the party.
"The two of them will have a meeting first and another meeting would later be held among party members to decide on the best position for Zuraida based on consensus.
"We need to make sure the position suits her and her experience well. Among suggestions include for Zuraida to be the party's general chairman.
"We hope that this could be finalised as soon as possible," he said.
On May 26, Zuraida, who is also Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, announced that she had quit Bersatu to join PBM.
She was also among 11 PKR MPs who quit the party after the “Sheraton Move” which brought down the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020. She later joined Bersatu.
It was earlier reported that Zuraida would be meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri soon to decide on whether or not she stays on as a Cabinet minister following her exit from Bersatu.
"The Prime Minister has the prerogative in this matter, so we wait for his decision.
"If I am asked to give up my ministerial post, I will do the needful," Zuraida said after launching the Malaysian Rubber Council's Global Funding for Rubber Innovation on Tuesday (June 7).
She reiterated that only Ismail Sabri could make the final decision on her Cabinet post in response to Bersatu wanting to take the portfolio back.
