RUMOURS are swirling about a potential political move involving Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (main image, far left), the current Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry and a member of UMNO’s supreme council.
Speculation suggests that he might join PKR, the party helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a bid to become the next Menteri Besar of Selangor.
This move could involve a political reshuffle with the current Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari being elevated to a federal position, potentially even swapping roles with Tengku Zafrul.
Despite PKR’s stated opposition to party hopping, pragmatism appears to be taking precedence over principle.
UMNO leaders, especially its vocal members, have predictably condemned the possibility of Tengku Zafrul leaving the party.
However, UMNO’s political influence and moral standing have been waning in recent years due to corruption scandals and declining support from the Malay electorate.
Tengku Zafrul, who lost his parliamentary bid in the last general election, currently serves as a minister by virtue of his appointment as a senator.
While he maintains ties to the Selangor royal family which may lend legitimacy to his appointment as Menteri Besar, his lack of grassroots support and perceived underperformance as a minister (despite surviving or being able to serve three different PMs) raise doubts about his effectiveness as a leader.
‘Carefully orchestrated strategy’
Much of his public role has been limited to announcing foreign direct investment (FDI) figures though the actual realisation of these deals remains unclear.
UMNO, meanwhile, faces a significant challenge in regaining Malay support. Its recent by-election victories in Nenggiri and Mahkota are not indicative of a broader Malay resurgence given the party’s credibility remains tarnished by corruption and internal disunity.
Editor’s note: While admitting that he had engaged in preliminary talks with PKR, Tengku Zafrul had on last night (Dec 15) denied that such talks involved discussions on positions, especially that of Selangor Menteri Besar in addition to the fact that he is still undecided on the matter.
While UMNO’s leadership struggles to adapt to a more educated and independent electorate, the ‘big brother’ of Barisan Nasional (BN) risks losing further ground to the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition led by PAS and Bersatu.
Moreover, Anwar’s alliance with UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has drawn criticism, particularly in light of the controversial legal decisions benefiting Zahid.
The discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) in a high-profile corruption case and the withdrawal of charges in another case have raised questions about the government’s commitment to justice and governance.
While these manoeuvres may strengthen Zahid’s position, they cast a shadow over the integrity of the Madani government.
Whatever said and done, Anwar who is well versed in the English poem Ancient Mariner knows very well who the “Albatross” around the neck of the Madani government is.
The potential move by Tengku Zafrul to PKR appears to be a carefully orchestrated strategy between Anwar and Zahid with public relations efforts underway to manage public perception.
Ultimately, this development highlights the enduring tension between political expediency and principles in Malaysian politics with party hopping remaining a contentious issue despite repeated promises of reform. – Dec 16, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main media credit: Tengku Zafrul/Facebook
