AMPANG – Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) has named Ampang Member of Parliament Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin as the party’s ‘president designate’.
This was revealed by PBM President Larry Sng, who also officially announced Zuraida’s membership in the party.
Larry said the decision was made based on the demands of the party’s grassroots.
"The party’s political bureau and supreme council have also decided unanimously to elevate Zuraida as the ‘president designate’ to drive the development and progress of PBM in the future.
"The supreme council will hold another meeting in the near future to restructure the party's constitution to enable a smoother and orderly transition process towards the leadership change," he said during the PBM’s Special Press Conference on Thursday.
Larry added that the party's supreme council and political bureau at the meeting also unanimously agreed that Zuraida would lead PBM’s talks with other parties in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
"If I can't attend the meeting, of course the one who was appointed as president would lead. We have also decided that she would head PBM.
"PBM has already given the mandate to her to lead the delegation to meet other party leaders in terms of coalition and membership," he said.
In the meantime, he said that PBM also asked Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to consider maintaining Zuraida's position in the cabinet due to her impressive performance during her tenure as minister.
Meanwhile, Zuraida said she would carry out the mandate given to ensure that PBM remained a relevant party.
"There are six pillars outlined which are strengthening racial unity, increasing the involvement of young people, empowering the role of women, the development of the country's economy, generating the development of science and technology as well as improving the quality of education in Malaysia, in line with what is happening in the country.
"The theme of 'jom reset' for all these pillars will bring change to the country and its people as a whole," she said
At the same time, the media was informed regarding a special interview session by Zuraida is expected to be held next week.
On May 26, Zuraida announced her resignation as Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities and that she was leaving Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to join PBM.
The Ampang MP said she decided to join PBM because she was interested in the party's cause.