Latest news with #pre-Gawai
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.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Umno wants full ministerial quota after Tengku Zafrul's exit, says Ahmad Zahid
SERIAN: Umno is seeking to retain its full allocation of seven ministerial positions in the Federal Cabinet following the resignation of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz from the party, its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, expressed confidence that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would consider reinstating the allocation in line with Umno's role in the unity government. 'To me, what's more important is that Umno remains represented by seven full ministers in the Cabinet. Although we are unsure whether Tengku Zafrul's appointment was on Umno's ticket, we had assumed he represented the party. 'Now that he is no longer with Umno, the number drops to six. So, it is only fair for Umno to request that the seat be returned to us,' he told reporters after attending the Sarawak RISDA 2025 'Makmur' Smallholders programme and pre-Gawai celebration here today. Ahmad Zahid also confirmed that the party has received Tengku Zafrul's resignation letter, which was submitted to Umno Executive Secretary Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan. 'Yesterday, when we checked, it had not been received. But this morning, we verified that the letter had been delivered to Mohd Sumali. We acknowledge his resignation and withdrawal of membership from Umno,' he said. Tengku Zafrul, who is Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, had yesterday announced his resignation from Umno, including from his posts as Supreme Council member and Kota Raja division chief. He also disclosed his intention to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), having informed PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh. Ahmad Zahid said Umno's legal team will review whether Tengku Zafrul has breached the agreement signed during the 15th General Election (GE15), which binds candidates to the party. 'For GE15 candidates, there is a clause in their statutory declaration that allows the party to impose a RM100 million penalty if they leave. Tengku Zafrul contested but lost, and was later appointed as a Senator. I will consult our legal advisers to examine the implications,' he said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Umno seeks to retain seven Cabinet posts after Zafrul exit
SERIAN: Umno is seeking to retain its full allocation of seven ministerial positions in the Federal Cabinet following the resignation of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz from the party, its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, expressed confidence that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would consider reinstating the allocation in line with Umno's role in the unity government. 'To me, what's more important is that Umno remains represented by seven full ministers in the Cabinet. Although we are unsure whether Tengku Zafrul's appointment was on Umno's ticket, we had assumed he represented the party. 'Now that he is no longer with Umno, the number drops to six. So, it is only fair for Umno to request that the seat be returned to us,' he told reporters after attending the Sarawak RISDA 2025 'Makmur' Smallholders programme and pre-Gawai celebration here today. Ahmad Zahid also confirmed that the party has received Tengku Zafrul's resignation letter, which was submitted to Umno Executive Secretary Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan. 'Yesterday, when we checked, it had not been received. But this morning, we verified that the letter had been delivered to Mohd Sumali. We acknowledge his resignation and withdrawal of membership from Umno,' he said. Tengku Zafrul, who is Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, had yesterday announced his resignation from Umno, including from his posts as Supreme Council member and Kota Raja division chief. He also disclosed his intention to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), having informed PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh. Ahmad Zahid said Umno's legal team will review whether Tengku Zafrul has breached the agreement signed during the 15th General Election (GE15), which binds candidates to the party. 'For GE15 candidates, there is a clause in their statutory declaration that allows the party to impose a RM100 million penalty if they leave. Tengku Zafrul contested but lost, and was later appointed as a Senator. I will consult our legal advisers to examine the implications,' he said.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Zahid urges Madani govt to restore Umno's seven-minister quota after Tengku Zafrul's exit
Zahid speaking to reporters during the press conference at the pre-Gawai celebration held at Kampung Raeh Baru today. – Photo by Chimon Upon SERIAN (May 31): Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed hope that the Madani government will reinstate the party's quota of seven ministerial posts following the resignation of Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz. The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said the party was previously represented by seven ministers, but with Tengku Zafrul's departure, only six remained. 'The most important thing is that Umno is represented by seven ministers in the federal Cabinet. While we are unsure whether Tengku Zafrul's appointment as minister was made under Umno's capacity, our assumption was that he was part of the party. 'If that's the case, then Umno now only has six full ministers. With Tengku Zafrul exiting Umno, the party is justified in requesting one ministerial seat to be allocated to us,' he said at a press conference after officiating the Pekebun Kecil Makmur and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda)-level pre-Gawai celebration held at Kampung Raeh Baru here today. Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul, who is also Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, announced his resignation from his roles as Umno Supreme Council member, Kota Raja Division chief, and Umno member. In a statement yesterday, he expressed his intention to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh. Zahid confirmed that he had received Tengku Zafrul's resignation letter today, which had been sent to Umno's executive secretary. However, he added that he would seek legal advice to determine whether Tengku Zafrul had violated any agreements signed when he stood as a BN candidate during the 15th General Election (GE15). 'For candidates in the last general election, if they leave the party, they can be fined RM100 million based on their sworn declaration. 'Tengku Zafrul contested in the election but was defeated, later being appointed as a Senator. So, I need to verify this matter with our legal advisors first,' he said.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
UMNO Wants Full Ministerial Quota After Tengku Zafrul's Exit, Says Ahmad Zahid
POLITICS SERIAN, May 31 (Bernama) -- UMNO is seeking to retain its full allocation of seven ministerial positions in the Federal Cabinet following the resignation of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz from the party, its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, expressed confidence that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would consider reinstating the allocation in line with UMNO's role in the unity government. 'To me, what's more important is that UMNO remains represented by seven full ministers in the Cabinet. Although we are unsure whether Tengku Zafrul's appointment was on UMNO's ticket, we had assumed he represented the party. 'Now that he is no longer with UMNO, the number drops to six. So, it is only fair for UMNO to request that the seat be returned to us,' he told reporters after attending the Sarawak RISDA 2025 'Makmur' Smallholders programme and pre-Gawai celebration here today. Ahmad Zahid also confirmed that the party has received Tengku Zafrul's resignation letter, which was submitted to UMNO Executive Secretary Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan. 'Yesterday, when we checked, it had not been received. But this morning, we verified that the letter had been delivered to Mohd Sumali. We acknowledge his resignation and withdrawal of membership from UMNO,' he said. Tengku Zafrul, who is Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, had yesterday announced his resignation from UMNO, including from his posts as Supreme Council member and Kota Raja division chief. He also disclosed his intention to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), having informed PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh. Ahmad Zahid said UMNO's legal team will review whether Tengku Zafrul has breached the agreement signed during the 15th General Election (GE15), which binds candidates to the party.
