KUALA LUMPUR: Plantation industries and commodities minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin did not attend today’s weekly cabinet meeting, and her defection and status in government were also not discussed in the meeting.

When contacted by Sin Chew Daily, minister in the prime minister’s department (parliament and law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Zuraida did not attend today’s meeting and the prime minister also did not raise the issue of her quitting Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) as well as her resignation from the cabinet.

Junaidi said in principle the prime minister could retain Zuraida’s ministerial post although he might also need to consider Bersatu’s views.

Junaidi insisted that the Zuraida issue did not lie with the cabinet but the prime minister, adding that it was the prime minister’s prerogative to retain any minister or deputy minister.

Zuraida announced on May 26 that she had quit Bersatu but would continue to support the government led by the prime minister.

Prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has said he would discuss the issue of resignation with Zuraida, and that she could attend today’s cabinet meeting.