Zafrul leaving 'sinking ship Umno', PAS leader says
Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz left Umno because he realised the party is a sinking ship, said a PAS member.
'Probably, he could already see Umno's bleak future. Malay voters continue to reject it and cannot stomach its ties with DAP,' said Nurul Islam Yusoff.
'So, before the 'Umno boat' sinks, he chose...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Drama around Tengku Zafrul's exit seems orchestrated, says Kedah Umno
Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin (left) has labelled Tengku Zafrul Aziz, who is the investment, trade and industry minister, as a 'first-class political tourist'. PETALING JAYA : Kedah Umno is uncomfortable with what it has called 'a drama' and 'political manoeuvres' orchestrated by PKR following Tengku Zafrul Aziz's decision to quit Umno. Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the statements released by PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari and PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim make the entire matter seem 'planned and celebrated'. 'The series of statements from PKR figures seem to send a direct message to Umno that etiquette does not matter in our cooperation and that political moves can be arranged without regard for the sensitivities of the main partners in the unity government,' he said in a statement today. Shaiful called for a stop to the 'drama' surrounding Tengku Zafrul for the sake of stable, honest and sincere political cooperation. 'We cannot continue to sacrifice our principles for the sake of power. Umno is ready to cooperate, not to be a plaything in the political narratives of others.' Shaiful also branded Tengku Zafrul, who is the investment, trade and industry minister, a 'first-class political tourist'. Yesterday, Amirudin said Tengku Zafrul's entry into PKR could bolster the party's credibility and expressed confidence that they could work well together. Kamil said Tengku Zafrul, being a corporate figure, could bring 'added value' to the party given the latter's experience. However, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said any such application to join the party would have to go through the usual processes, taking into account the views and perspectives of the party's partners in the unity government. Tengku Zafrul's decision confirms rumours that spread in February that he would be leaving Umno and joining PKR before his term as a senator expires at the year end.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Focus on coalition unity, says MP amid Tengku Zafrul poser
Segamat MP R Yuneswaran said he feared Umno-PKR ties would be hampered if Tengku Zafrul Aziz was accepted as a PKR member. PETALING JAYA : An MP from PKR has urged his party to focus on maintaining a united coalition government, as former Umno man Tengku Zafrul Aziz seeks to join PKR. Segamat MP R Yuneswaran said he acknowledged Tengku Zafrul's contributions to the nation and government, but warned that PKR's ties with Umno could be hampered if the investment, trade and industry minister becomes a party member. 'It's essential to consider the implications of the relationship between Umno and PKR. Currently, the focus should be on a unity government and establishing a united coalition, which is of utmost importance. 'Anything that can break the trust and stability (within the unity government), must be avoided,' he said in a post on X. Tengku Zafrul resigned from Umno on Friday and said he intends to join PKR, citing 'compatibility and suitability'. However, many Umno leaders have warned PKR against accepting the senator as a member, with a Kedah leader also calling for a review of Barisan Nasional's alliance with Pakatan Harapan if Tengku Zafrul successfully defects to PKR. However, PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim supported accepting Tengku Zafrul, saying it would boost support for the party. Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said no official discussion has been held on Tengku Zafrul's application to join PKR, adding that his Cabinet would be unaffected.
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Umno legal bureau examining anti-party hopping laws in Zafrul's case, says Azalina
PETALING JAYA: Umno's legal bureau is checking if anti-party hopping laws apply to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. "Umno's legal bureau has been asked to study the implications of anti-party hopping laws – including the position of senator – to ensure that the next course of action complies with the legal framework. "Each minister is appointed as a representative of their respective party. Umno remains committed towards serving the nation in the unity government setting and will continue to fulfil the people's mandate," said the Umno information chief on Sunday(June 1). Azalina, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), said she and Umno respect the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister's decision but stressed that Cabinet positions are given based on party mandate and not in a personal capacity. Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had said that Tengku Zafrul was not bound by anti-party hopping laws because he is not an elected representative. Bernama reported Mohamad as saying that the pledge signed by Tengku Zafrul as a Barisan Nasional candidate in the 15th General Election could not be enforced as well because he did not win the seat he contested. "That (the pledge) is not included within the scope of the agreement because Tengku Zafrul did not win the election. That is a pledge made by an elected representative, a state assemblyman or a Member of Parliament. "If they win, the seat belongs to the party, not the individual. If the candidate wins, they sign many agreements, including reimbursing costs incurred by the party. "Tengku Zafrul did not win. He became a minister on the basis of being a senator," he told reporters after a luncheon on Saturday (May 31).
