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Free Malaysia Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar's unity coalition faces ‘ultimate test' of coalition unity
Anwar Ibrahim's unity coalition could face its biggest test following the controversies involving Rafizi Ramli and Tengku Zafrul Aziz. PETALING JAYA : With two ministers quitting and one exiting Umno with the hope of joining PKR, an analyst believes that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces his biggest test yet to keep the peace in his unity government. Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said Cabinet changes are certainly in order, especially for the economy and environment portfolios relinquished by PKR's Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. However, he said Tengku Zafrul's resignation from Umno and application to join Anwar's own party could trigger ill will between Umno and PKR, which are among the major component parties of the unity government. He said Anwar must be bold in tackling grouses head-on and ensure that the fundamental understanding of the unity coalition must not be harmed just because of one leader defecting to an allied party. 'If the prime minister thinks it's appropriate to go for a major reshuffle, then so be it. But he must act boldly, even if he needs to switch portfolios between parties, such that not one party can claim a ministerial position as its absolute right. 'This may be the prime minister's ultimate test as the leader of a government that foregrounds unity as its main trait,' he told FMT. On the other hand, political analyst Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani of ADA Southeast Asia said Anwar's major challenge was looking for suitable candidates to fill the minister posts under PKR's quota. He said Tengku Zafrul risked becoming a mere 'placeholder minister' if he was not dropped in a Cabinet reshuffle, since his tenure as senator ends at the end of the year. 'Anwar is currently facing difficulties finding suitable candidates for the vacant ministerial positions from the available pool of PKR leaders,' he said. Fauzi said a by-election in a comfortable mixed seat could be easily called to allow Tengku Zafrul to be elected an MP and retain his ministership. While some may deem such a move unethical, it is not illegal, he pointed out. 'The only issue with this is Anwar's flagging popularity among the PKR rank and file due to the Rafizi saga, and Tengku Zafrul's own weak grassroots politics, which may lead people to question why sacrifices should be made for him.' Rafizi and Nik Nazmi quit their Cabinet posts on Wednesday following their defeats in the PKR central leadership elections, where they lost their posts of party deputy president and vice-president respectively. Two days later, Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation from Umno while voicing his intention to join PKR, saying he had conveyed this to Anwar, the PKR president. This led to multiple Umno leaders warning PKR against accepting the senator as a member, as well as calls for Tengku Zafrul to step down as the investment, trade and industry minister. Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also a deputy prime minister, also urged Anwar to ensure Umno retains its quota of seven ministers in the Cabinet. Fauzi believed the matter could be resolved at the unity government secretariat council, adding that Anwar and Zahid's 'mentor-mentee' relationship was almost the bedrock of the unity government. While the prime minister will need to manage the optics in the eyes of Umno members, Fauzi said Anwar might have a tougher time pacifying members of his own party discontent over Rafizi's ousting, due to the perception that the PKR president had a hand in it. However, Asrul did not expect Umno members to be particularly antagonised about Tengku Zafrul's departure, saying the ministerial post was a bigger factor to the party. 'His departure is unlikely to cause much pain for Umno, as Tengku Zafrul was not very popular among the party's grassroots and local leaders,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- 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.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Political developments are normal': Umno-PKR unity intact despite Tengku Zafrul exit, says Johari Ghani
BATU PAHAT, May 31 — Umno's cooperation with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) within the unity government remains intact despite Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's resignation from the party, said Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Johari, who is Umno vice-president, said both parties must remain united in their efforts to ensure the country's political stability. 'For example, in government, I play a role in national development as a minister. Political developments are normal, but they should not affect the strength of our coalition within the unity government and the country,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Madani Adopted Village (KAM) programme handover ceremony for the Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) at Kampung Parit Bilal here today. Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul, who is Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, announced his resignation as an Umno Supreme Council member, Kota Raja division chief and party member. On today's programme, Johari, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said a total of RM2.5 million has been allocated to Kampung Parit Bilal and Kampung Parit Ahmad under the KPK Madani Adopted Village initiative. The funds will go toward implementing various development projects, including upgrading educational facilities, houses of worship and basic infrastructure, he said. He said the initiative also involves strategic cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies, the Batu Pahat district office, Johor state development office, village development and security committees (JPKK) and local community leaders. 'Among the activities planned are entrepreneurship training, such as chocolate-making courses and outreach programmes under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) MyCommodity initiative,' Johari added. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Tengku Zafrul's resignation won't strain Umno-PKR ties in unity govt, says Johari
Umno vice-president Johari Ghani said Umno and PKR must continue to cooperate as part of the unity government for the sake of political stability in the country. PETALING JAYA : Umno vice-president Johari Ghani has brushed off concerns that Tengku Zafrul Aziz's resignation from the party will affect ties between Umno and PKR in the unity government. Johari, who is also the plantation and commodities minister, said the two parties must continue to cooperate for the sake of political stability in the country, Bernama reported. '(In) politics, this is normal. It (Tengku Zafrul's resignation) should not disrupt the unity government or the country,' he was quoted as saying after an event in Kampung Parit Bilal, Batu Pahat. Tengku Zafrul, the investment, trade and industry minister, yesterday announced that he had resigned from Umno and all party positions, and would be applying to join PKR, led by Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. Citing 'compatibility and suitability', Tengku Zafrul said he decided to leave Umno after seeking advice from friends within and outside the party. His move has sparked a backlash from Umno leaders. Party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki called it 'highly inappropriate' for any component party in the unity coalition to accept members from other parties without proper consultation. Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi warned the party must not be blamed if its grassroots begin losing confidence in Anwar over Tengku Zafrul's acceptance into PKR. Meanwhile, Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno have urged Tengku Zafrul to resign from his Cabinet post.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Zahid demands Cabinet post returned to Umno after receiving Tengku Zafrul's resignation, eyes full seven-minister quota
SERIAN, May 31 — 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. — Bernama
