The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the plantation industries and commodities minister will join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), the newly-formed party which she had been heavily linked to.

She was believed to have shared her plans with PBM Supreme Council members, the source said.

“She wants to jump ship before the anti-hopping act is enacted,” the source told FMT.

The revelation that she is set to join PBM comes a day after the party said it did not receive any application from Zuraida. The PBM leadership admitted, however, that they had invited her as recently as last week to join them but have yet to receive any official response.

It also comes in the wake of reports that the Bersatu Supreme Council was split about sacking her over her alleged links to PBM.

Earlier today, FMT reported that the Ampang MP was removed from a WhatsApp group comprising more than 30 Bersatu Supreme Council members, including president Muhyiddin Yassin, last week.

Her removal from the group chat was confirmed by council member Muhammad Faiz Na’aman, who told FMT that “there is truth in what is being reported”.

In December, Zuraida said she would consider “any offer” that came her way amid speculation that she was set to join PBM.

FMT has reached out to Zuraida for a response.

PBM was launched on Dec 21 following approval by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to change the name and the constitution of the Sarawak Workers Party (SWP). The party is led by Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong, both of whom were previously with PKR, like Zuraida.

Sng was later reported to have said that PBM would be holding discussions with Barisan Nasional leaders in the hope of joining the coalition.