KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to announce his decision soon over the ministerial position quota held by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the cabinet quota currently held by Zuraida – who quit the party last month for Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) – belongs to Bersatu.
"I am asking the prime minister to give priority to this after Zuraida's statement. It has been more than two weeks since the announcement. Bersatu has voiced our opinion, so it is only appropriate that the PM share his decision soon.
"I won't touch on matters involving PBM. I am concerned with our position in the government and the ministerial position which has been part of the agreement between the PM and Perikatan Nasional," he said at a press conference after the #RuangBelia programme organised by Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (Masa) here, today.
Muhyiddin said a candidate had already been identified to fill in the quota left by Zuraida.
"I do not want the top leadership of Bersatu to claim that I did not react appropriately. We have made our stand. The Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council members have made their decision and have asked the PM to consider announcing his decision soon. The issue should be resolved soon.
"If the PM wants to appoint (Zuraida) then it is up to him but the quota for Bersatu cannot be taken. He can even give her a new ministry but Bersatu have the quota, so it must be filled by the party," he said.
On June 16, Ismail Sabri said he would meet with Zuraida to discuss her position as the plantation industries and commodities minister following her departure from Bersatu before meeting with Muhyiddin.
Since joining PBM last month, Zuraida is still serving as a cabinet member and Ampang member of parliament.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also provided an update on the status of Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin, who has applied to join a component party of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
He said Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council member Datuk Seri Azmin Ali had contacted Willie.
"They will meet and he (Azmin) will be meeting with me to discuss and solve any arising matters. What is important is that we had given him (Willie) support and a position, so we cannot understand if there are any other reasons.
"It is better if we can discuss this like a family and solve it together," he said.
It is understood that Willie will be joining Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone of GPS.
Willie, who is also deputy plantation industries and commodities minister, clarified that he was only "placed" under Bersatu to support the Perikatan Nasional government under the leadership of Muhyiddin, who was then the prime minister.