3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Review pact with PH if PKR takes Zafrul in, says Kedah Umno
A decision by PKR to accept Tengku Zafrul Aziz could cause rifts in the coalition government, said Syed Johan Rizal Syed Unan Mashri. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : Kedah Umno has urged Barisan Nasional to review its partnership with Pakatan Harapan for the next general election (GE16) if PKR accepts Tengku Zafrul Aziz as a member.
PKR would be akin to 'stealing' an Umno leader if it took in Tengku Zafrul as a member, said Kedah Umno communications director Syed Johan Rizal Syed Unan Mashri.
He told FMT that this could then lead to fractured ties within the coalition government, similar to how Bersatu had also 'fished' for Umno leaders in the past.
After the 2018 general election, in which BN lost power, a host of Umno leaders defected to Bersatu, among them Hamzah Zainudin, now Bersatu deputy president, and Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, the current Wanita Bersatu chief.
'Today, it's one leader, but what will happen next? If our own allies in the government do not respect such boundaries, we should reassess our political compass in GE16,' said Syed Johan.
'Umno won't stop anyone from leaving but our allies should respect the political boundaries. If they don't respect the spirit of friendship among allies, we must be more stern in defending Umno's honour,' he said.
Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation as an Umno member yesterday, relinquishing his posts as a member of the party's Supreme Council and the head of its Kota Raja division.
The senator also said he has conveyed his intention to join PKR to its president Anwar Ibrahim, and secretary-general Fuziah Salleh.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki warned PKR against accepting Tengku Zafrul as a member, saying it would cause disharmony between the government allies.
Earlier, Fuziah said PKR will consider the input of its allies in the government as well as the party's own grassroots in evaluating membership applications, including that of Tengku Zafrul.
However he has yet to submit his official PKR membership application.
Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin was unhappy with Fuziah's response, saying PKR should have decided from the outset to reject Tengku Zafrul's application.
