KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 -- Two weeks after leaving the Cabinet, former Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin today was entrusted with the same portfolio, following the appointment of Malaysia's 8th Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Feb 29.
Zuraida, 61, the Member of Parliament for Ampang since 2008, displayed unquestionable commitment when heading the ministry previously for 21 months.
Among the initiatives she championed were the critical allowance for firemen and the launch of the National Housing Policy 2.0.
The former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president who is now an independent MP, joined PKR in 1999 as treasurer before leaving the party on Feb 24.
In the 14th General Election, Zuraida defended her Ampang parliamentary seat by defeating Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Leong Kim Soon and two others with a resounding majority of 41,956 votes.
She secured 54,307 votes compared with Leong's 12,351 votes, PAS candidate Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff (9,598) and PRM candidate (294).
Zuraida who is known for her courage and for being vocal, was among the first Cabinet ministers to be appointed under the previous administration led by the 7th Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The following is Zuraida's biography:
Name: Zuraida Kamaruddin
Date of birth: 14/03/1958 (61 years)
Government:
2018-2020: Housing and Local Government Minister
Career:
1980-1987: Qualitative Research Manager, Frank Small & Associates (Australia)
1987-1988: Marketing Research & Account Planning Manager, Chuo Senko Advertising (Japan)
1989-1991: Vice-President for Bumiputera Marketing Division, American International Assurance (AIA)
1992-1993: Associate Advertising Director, Saatchi & Saatchi
1993-1997: National Field Sales Manager, Avon (M) Bhd
1997-1998: Managing Director, Flaireborne (M) Sdn Bhd
1999-2001: Independent consultant / Motivational expert (Petronas, Oriflame, Nutrimetics, Shinetsu)
Parliament:
2008-present: Member of Parliament for Ampang
Politics:
Pakatan Harapan
2017: Pakatan Harapan Wanita Chief (PKR)
1999: Joined PKR as Treasurer
2007-2010: PKR Vice-President
2007-2018: PKR Wanita Chief
2018-2020: PKR Vice-President
2020: Left PKR
-- BERNAMA
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