It’s all an act, PAS man says of Umno’s objections to Tengku Zafrul’s defection

It’s all an act, PAS man says of Umno’s objections to Tengku Zafrul’s defection

PETALING JAYA: A PAS leader has described Umno’s objections over the possibility that Tengku Zafrul Aziz would defect to PKR as an act to fool the people.

In a Facebook post, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Umno is aware that PKR is headed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“So they (Umno) can’t really protest too much or risk affecting the relationship between teacher and student,” he said, alluding to the ties between Anwar and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party strongly opposed any party-hopping within the unity government.

Asyraf said Umno viewed Anwar’s remarks about “preliminary discussions” having taken place on Tengku Zafrul joining PKR seriously.

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And while Anwar had consulted Zahid about the matter, Umno’s stance remained firm, Asyraf said, adding that the party would never accept or allow any form of party-hopping among members of the unity government.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh had also called for the party to reassess its alliances with unity government components which accepted its members.

Fadhli went on to say that poaching members from other parties was nothing new for PKR.

He said in 2020, two Selangor assemblymen quit Amanah and joined PKR, while a year later, three Amanah assemblymen from other states had also left their party for PKR.

Fadhli claimed that Amanah was so upset about their assemblymen being poached by PKR that some leaders had even suggested the party review its ties with its ally in Pakatan Harapan (PH).

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“The public, therefore, should not be fooled by such ‘drama’.

“They (Umno and PKR) have discussed the matter (of Tengku Zafrul joining PKR) behind the scenes. Talks about integrity are just rhetoric,” he said.

Speculation has been rife that Tengku Zafrul is planning to leave Umno to join PKR.

In a statement last night, Tengku Zafrul admitted having discussions with PKR to join the party, but said he has yet to decide on the matter.

He added that the discussions did not centre on positions at the state level, or about by-elections, after speculation that his move to PKR would see him become the menteri besar of Selangor.

On Saturday, Zahid criticised those who put personal interest ahead of party loyalty. He added that Tengku Zafrul had not informed him of any plans to leave the party.