KUALA LUMPUR: It is up to the prime minister to decide on the fate of Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who had on Thursday announced her decision to leave Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), in the Cabinet.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said as of now, he has not made any decision on the position of the Ampang member of Parliament as a member of the Cabinet under his leadership.
Ismail Sabri, who is currently on a working trip in Japan, called on all parties to wait until he returns before making any decisions about the matter.
"The final say (on Zuraida's position in the Cabinet) is with the prime minister. And it is too early for me to make any decision since there is no meeting or discussion over it yet.
"Therefore, I am not able to give any comments on the next course of action.
"Wait until I return (from my working trip to Japan). I will call her, discuss the matter before making any decision," he told a press conference with the Malaysian media in Tokyo.
Zuraida, when announcing her decision to leave Bersatu for PBM, had said she had made such a decision after she was attracted by the struggles and core principles of the party.
She had also said she would meet with Ismail Sabri the soonest to discuss her resignation as the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.
Asked if Zuraida can still attend the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Ismail Sabri responded in the affirmative.
"She still can attend the Cabinet meeting. She did not resign as a minister and I did not fire as a member of the Cabinet.
"She is still a minister in the Cabinet meeting this Wednesday until the meeting between me and her.
"Having that said, I do not know there will be any decision (on Zuraida's position in the Cabinet) after my meeting with her," he said.
Ismail Sabri went on and said: "Unless I decide for her to resign as a minister and appoint another minister to replace her.
"We do not know yet what will happen (after the meeting between Ismail Sabri and Zuraida).
"Until then, proceed (with carryout her duties as a minister) as usual," he said.
Ismail Sabri said all parties have the rights to give their views on the matter.
"I respect the views of all. There were views on the matter from (Bersatu president) Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin) as well as from other Cabinet members such as (Health Minister) KJ (Khairy Jamaluddin), (Housing and Local Government Minister) Datuk Seri Reezal (Merican Naina Merican) and (Rural Development Minister) Datuk Seri Mahdzir (Khalid).
"All of them provided different views on the matter," he said.
When asked if he was disappointed or taken aback with Zuraida's decision, Ismail Sabri said it was imperative for all parties to move forward.
"Saddened or not, we can no longer do anything about it. Looks to move forward and wait for the next decision," he said.