Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has refuted news reports claiming she was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.

Zuraida told Malaysiakini that she attended Wednesday’s cabinet meeting as scheduled and nothing more.

"I have not received the appointment yet," she said.

When she was met by Sinar Harian this afternoon at KLIA, Zuraida revealed she was attending a government event this evening.

"I am still waiting for a date (to meet the prime minister). Earlier today, I was at the cabinet (meeting), and (my position) was not discussed," she added.

Zuraida is scheduled to appear at the Cocoa Industry Awards ceremony organised by the Malaysian Cocoa Board at 7.45pm in Kota Kinabalu.

This morning, Sinar Harian and Berita Harian reported that Zuraida was supposed to meet Ismail Sabri before the cabinet meeting.

Both reports did not cite any sources.

Zuraida’s tenure in Ismail Sabri’s cabinet has been in question since her departure from Bersatu last month.

The Ampang MP has since joined Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and is set to become its leader.

Bersatu, as a component of Ismail Sabri’s coalition government, has laid claims to Zuraida’s cabinet position.

However, nearly a month after Zuraida’s departure from Bersatu, Ismail Sabri has not indicated that a cabinet reshuffle is on the cards.

PBM has three MPs and they all back Ismail Sabri as prime minister.

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