Latest news with #TengkuZafrulAziz
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
A shot in the arm for PKR with Tengku Zafrul
THERE isn't going to be any by-election called to make way for Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz to contest in Selangor. There is no compelling reason for anyone to make way immediately for the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, who has announced his decision to quit Umno and plans to join PKR. His term as a Senator will only expire at the end of the year, which means he still has about six months to go as minister. At this point, all talk that he is eyeing a Selangor state seat is mere speculation by the media. Why not a safe parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur where the options are wider and better? Selangor Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari has already said he is remaining as the Mentri Besar. It is also no secret that the Selangor palace expects the Mentri Besar to complete his full term as chief executive of the state. Whether the newly-elected PKR vice-president will decide to focus instead on a parliamentary seat in the next general election, expected to be held within two years, is another matter. But as of now, there is no likelihood of any change in Selangor. There has been much debate over Tengku Zafrul's next political plan. Umno is understandably upset that the party would lose a Federal Cabinet post and there have been accusations that he is not a loyal member of the party. Amidst all the noise, the harsh reality is that Selangor Umno is in the doldrums. It hasn't recovered from its beating in the last general election and seems to be heading nowhere. Umno contested in 22 seats in the 2022 General Election, and lost all. Tengku Zafrul himself lost to Amanah's Datuk Seri Dr Zulkefly Ahmad in the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat. The political prospects for Selangor Umno haven't improved and despite the hue and cry over Tengku Zafrul's resignation, no one has a clue as to how Selangor Umno can recover its lost seats. While there have also been brickbats over whether a newbie deserves a ticket to contest for PKR, no one has disputed Tengku Zafrul's capability. Let's face it, all parties have fielded young and new faces in every election. It has never been about the length of a candidate's membership in the party. As Malaysia navigates a critical juncture in its economic and political journey, the role of capable, forward-looking leaders has never been more crucial. Tengku Zafrul entered politics as a technocrat but his alignment with the unity government has led to intense private conversations about his potential future within PKR. Without a doubt, the Prime Minister is comfortable with his role as MITI Minister. This is especially so when Malaysia needs to negotiate with the unpredictable Trump administration and its retaliatory tariffs. Like him or loath him, no one would dare say he has not done his job well as a Minister. Should he proceed to join PKR - and if his application is approved - it will certainly strengthen Malaysia's reformist agenda as well as multi-racial politics. Urbane, professional and approachable, he has global networking. At a personal level, he enjoys a wide circle of multi-racial contacts, friends and supporters. More importantly, he brings a rare and valuable experience from both the public and private sectors. He is a natural bridge between the government and private sectors, and we do need politicians who understand investments, digital transformation, green energy, the semi-conductor industry and industrial transformation. Unlike some Malay politicians who thrive on race and religion, Tengku Zafrul has stayed above such communal agenda. Instead, he maintains a moderate voice and prefers to focus on results and policies. Malaysians are sick and tired of chest thumping politicians who polarise the nation with the narrative of race and religion. A stable and progressive government with plans for long-term reforms, and a performance-driven leadership, is needed more than ever. Tengku Zafrul's entry into PKR will add depth to the party's economic branch and reinforce the image that the party places importance on competence.
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Tengku Zafrul quits Umno, seeks new start with PKR
Tengku Zafrul is also vacating his seat on the Umno supreme council as well as his position as its Kota Raja division chief. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz has resigned from Umno and announced plans to apply for membership in political ally PKR. The investment, trade and industry minister is also vacating his seat on the Umno supreme council as well as his position as its Kota Raja division chief. 'I have submitted my resignation letter to the top leadership of Umno,' he wrote in an Instagram post tonight. He said the decision was not made lightly and came after extensive reflection and consultation with colleagues inside and outside the party, including Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 'I took quite a long time to deeply reflect on this decision, especially since Umno is the only political party I have ever joined, since 1997,' he said. He confirmed that he has informed PKR's leadership of his intent to join and will go through the usual membership process. 'I will follow the usual application process to become a member of the People's Justice Party,' he added. He ended his announcement by thanking Umno members and supporters for their backing over the years. – Malay Mail lead pkr quite Tengku Zafrul Umno
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MITI studying proposal to merge HDC and MATRADE
KUALA LUMPUR: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) is studying the merger of the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Its Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the matter is under discussion because there were several other proposals put forward such as strengthening the country's halal industry. 'We want to strengthen the halal industry by focusing on halal development and do not want any overlap in terms of halal trade. 'We want MATRADE to focus more on halal trade in terms of providing access to halal products, while we want to ensure that HDC focuses more on halal development,' he told reporters after the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum 2025 here today. Tengku Zafrul said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) would focus on investments involving the halal industry. MITI announced recently that MATRADE and HDC would be merging to form a stronger and more cohesive halal trade and industry ecosystem. The ministry said a pro-tem committee for the strategic merger has been established to align resources and operational frameworks while ensuring that the consolidation of functions and jobs is equitably managed. 'The merger aims to enhance Malaysia's leadership and competitiveness in the global halal market, which is projected to reach US$5 trillion by 2030,' MITI said in a statement. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said the Malaysian Halal Council secretariat has proposed the establishment of a Halal Commission, which will be brought to the Cabinet's attention soon. He said the objectives to establish the commission will be announced after obtaining approval from the Cabinet meeting. 'At the moment, it is still in 'circulation' and we are gathering comments and feedback from other ministries. 'Once approved, we will be able to provide clarity regarding the establishment of this commission,' he said.
The National
26-05-2025
- Business
- The National
GCC and Malaysia start free trade agreement negotiations
The Gulf Co-operation Council and Malaysia have started negotiations for a free trade agreement as the regions seek to boost bilateral investment. A joint statement signalling the start of negotiations was signed on the sidelines of the summit between Gulf states and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, the GCC said in a statement. Talks will cover a range of sectors of mutual interest and the potential agreement is set to cover a number of economic aspects, the statement added. The move represents a consolidation of the partnership between the two sides, said Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC. Malaysia is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asean. Last year, total trade between Malaysia and the Gulf reached $22.3 billion, with key exports including electronic products, jewellery, petroleum products, palm oil and palm oil-based products, and processed food, according to Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. "The FTA aims to expand this further by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, promoting business mobility, and enhancing regulatory co-operation," the ministry said in a separate statement on Monday. The FTA would represent "a strategic platform to recalibrate and enhance our bilateral relationship", said Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. 'Malaysia considers the Gulf Co-operation Council to be one of its most valued trade partners in West Asia." Several major global economies are also pursuing trade deals with the Gulf region. The UK is in talks with the GCC over an FTA, with indications that it could be signed soon. This month, after the UK secured a deal with Europe, as well as announcing an agreement with the US to cut tariffs, Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC that the Gulf would be the 'next deal' as the government looks to forge post-Brexit trade ties. Meanwhile, an FTA between the Gulf economies and Turkey is expected to create a $2.4 trillion trade opportunity.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia to establish ASEAN's first women's economic empowerment centre in KL
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to establish ASEAN's first Women's Economic Empowerment Centre in Kuala Lumpur, to ensure the bloc's potential and opportunities are accessible to all, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth and women. This aligns with the country's ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz, said today. 'In short, as ASEAN's 2025 Chair, we are placing inclusive growth at the heart of Southeast Asia's policies,' he said at the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025 (AWES), held in conjunction with the ASEAN Summit here. Besides AWES, ASEAN supports women and youth entrepreneurs across the region through platforms such as the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council (AYEC), the Social Enterprises Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP) and the ASEAN Youth Organisation (AYO). 'Of course, the challenges facing the bloc's individual countries are unique, but we must strive to ensure region-wide solutions, even though this will take time,' he said, adding that this is where AWES can play a stronger role. He said Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN, looks forward to the outcome of AWES. Tengku Zafrul said among the feedback awaited are quick wins to create gender-inclusive ASEAN-wide standards and policies, as well as improved access to finance. 'If we were to create a US$1 billion (US$1 = RM4.24) fund for ASEAN, how should it be governed to ensure broad-based impact, transparency and access for women-led businesses? And how do we digitally upskill, say, one million women across our region by 2027? 'A lot of work lies ahead. One Summit alone won't solve all the challenges facing women. But AWES contributes to a worthy cause that has been championed for decades,' he added.
