Latest news with #15thGeneralElection
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- 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).
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Umno seeks Cabinet post
Symbolic act: Ahmad Zahid attending a pre-Gawai celebration at the Rumah Panjang Raeh Baru in Serian, Sarawak. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/ The Star SERIAN: Umno wants a Cabinet minister post following Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's exit from the party, says party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid said this was because Umno had seven Cabinet ministers previously, and Tengku Zafrul's departure would leave the Barisan Nasional lynchpin with only six ministers. 'With Tengku Zafrul being out of Umno, we will request one full ministerial seat to be given to Umno, so that we will have seven (ministers),' Ahmad Zahid told reporters during a pre-Gawai celebration event. The Umno president said he held discussions with Tengku Zafrul in Parliament three months ago, adding that he has no issues with the latter leaving the party. 'But we should know that it is unethical for any parties within the unity government to accept another member from an allied party,' he pointed out. Ahmad Zahid said when Tengku Zafrul was appointed to the Cabinet in 2023, it was not mentioned that this was done under an Umno ministerial quota. 'But back then, an Umno vice-president was appointed a minister based on an Umno quota. This gives the perception that the appointment came about because he was representing Umno,' said Ahmad Zahid. Ahmad Zahid said the party received Tengku Zafrul's resignation letter yesterday. He said during the 15th General Election, Barisan and Umno candidates are bound by an agreement not to defect to another party with a RM100mil bond. 'Tengku Zafrul lost when contesting an MP seat. Nevertheless, he was appointed as a senator. I will check with Umno's legal advisers on whether this agreement and bond are tied to his case,' said Ahmad Zahid. Meanwhile, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was of the view that Tengku Zafrul is not bound by the pledge signed by Barisan candidates as he became a minister on the basis of being a senator. 'That 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 or a state assemblyman or a Member of Parliament (referring to the pledge). 'If they win, the seat belongs to the party, not to the individual, and the individual who becomes a candidate and wins, they sign many agreements including reimbursing the costs incurred by the party,' he said, Bernama reported. Vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani concurred, saying that Tengku Zafrul is not tied to any anti-hopping laws, as his ministerial appointment was not via Parliament but through senatorship. He also said Umno's cooperation with PKR within the unity government remains intact despite Tengku Zafrul's resignation from the party. He said both parties must remain united in their efforts to ensure the country's political stability.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Cleopatra joins Pas
KUALA LUMPUR: Social media influencer Nur Fathiah Syazwana Shaharuddin, who stood as an independent candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat during the last general election, has submitted her application to join Pas. The Islamist party's Muslimat wing said Nur Fathiah, better known as Cleopatra among her followers, handed over her membership application form at its office here yesterday. In a Facebook post, the wing said that Cleopatra said her decision to join Pas was made for the sake of her children's future. "Apart from being known as an activist actively involved in charitable work and as the founder of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Hetero Action Women Alliance (HAWA), which champions women's and community rights, Cleopatra also plays a role as a social media influencer, making her an important voice in advocating social issues and community development." Cleopatra contested the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent in the 15th General Election (GE15) in 2022, which saw a 10-cornered fight — the highest number of candidates in that election. However, she lost the contest at the seat, which was retained by incumbent P. Prabakaran of PKR. Meanwhile, Pas Muslimat chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh said the council welcomes Cleopatra's membership and encourages the participation of all women in the party. She said the wing has long been committed to caring for the welfare of the underprivileged, including the poor, persons with disabilities, the elderly, single mothers, and orphans. "Cleopatra's entry into Pas is seen as a strategic step towards strengthening the role of women in Malaysian politics and championing the well-being of society," she said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Tengku Zafrul's PRU15 pledge unenforceable as he did not win in election
SEREMBAN: The review of a pledge signed by Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz when he was a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the 15th General Election (PRU15) cannot be enforced because he did not win in the election. UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that instead, Tengku Zafrul was appointed as the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry in his capacity as a senator. 'That 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 or a State Assemblyman or a Member of Parliament (referring to the pledge). 'If they win, the seat belongs to the party, not to the individual, and the individual who becomes a candidate and wins, they sign many agreements including reimbursing the costs incurred by the party and many other things. 'Tengku Zafrul did not win. He became a minister on the basis of being a senator. So I don't see that the pledge can be enforced against him,' he told reporters after a luncheon here today. He said this when commenting on the statement by UMNO Supreme Council Member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who urged the party to take stern action against Tengku Zafrul, who announced his departure from UMNO to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). Mohd Puad also asked the party to review the pledge signed by Tengku Zafrul when he was a BN candidate in PRU15, including the possibility of demanding RM100 million in compensation if Tengku Zafrul's action, who lost in the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in the last general election, is considered party-hopping. Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation as an UMNO Supreme Council Member, Kota Raja UMNO Division Chief, and UMNO member. Asked whether the resignation would affect UMNO, Mohamad, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rembau, said that Tengku Zafrul did not hold a high position in the party and it would not have a significant impact on UMNO. In other developments, Mohamad, who is also the Foreign Minister, said that efforts to combat human trafficking involving Malaysians in Vietnam, including scam crimes, are always a top agenda for Malaysia.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Tengku Zafrul's PRU15 pledge unenforceable
SEREMBAN: The review of a pledge signed by Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz when he was a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the 15th General Election (PRU15) cannot be enforced because he did not win in the election. UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that instead, Tengku Zafrul was appointed as the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry in his capacity as a senator. 'That 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 or a State Assemblyman or a Member of Parliament (referring to the pledge). 'If they win, the seat belongs to the party, not to the individual, and the individual who becomes a candidate and wins, they sign many agreements including reimbursing the costs incurred by the party and many other things. 'Tengku Zafrul did not win. He became a minister on the basis of being a senator. So I don't see that the pledge can be enforced against him,' he told reporters after a luncheon here today. He said this when commenting on the statement by UMNO Supreme Council Member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who urged the party to take stern action against Tengku Zafrul, who announced his departure from UMNO to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). Mohd Puad also asked the party to review the pledge signed by Tengku Zafrul when he was a BN candidate in PRU15, including the possibility of demanding RM100 million in compensation if Tengku Zafrul's action, who lost in the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in the last general election, is considered party-hopping. Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation as an UMNO Supreme Council Member, Kota Raja UMNO Division Chief, and UMNO member. Asked whether the resignation would affect UMNO, Mohamad, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rembau, said that Tengku Zafrul did not hold a high position in the party and it would not have a significant impact on UMNO. In other developments, Mohamad, who is also the Foreign Minister, said that efforts to combat human trafficking involving Malaysians in Vietnam, including scam crimes, are always a top agenda for Malaysia.
