‘Opportunist’ Tengku Zafrul will be a PKR liability, says Puad

‘Opportunist’ Tengku Zafrul will be a PKR liability, says Puad

PETALING JAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi trained his guns at Tengku Zafrul Aziz for quitting the party, saying that the federal minister will become a liability for PKR.

Describing Tengku Zafrul as an opportunist, Puad said that if PKR accepted Tengku Zafrul into its fold, it would be “a stab in the back for Umno”.

Puad’s remarks came shortly after Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation as an Umno member, as well as from all party posts, with plans to join PKR.

Puad told FMT: “Umno shouldn’t mourn his departure. Let him go. He’s simply trying to fill the void left by (former PKR deputy president) Rafizi Ramli. I believe Tengku Zafrul will become a liability to PKR.”

Rafizi, who was defeated by Nurul Izzah Anwar in the contest for the deputy presidency at the party polls last weekend, resigned as economy minister on Wednesday.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Implikasi Terhadap Kedaulatan Raja Melayu Sekiranya Mahkamah Menolak Titah Adendum

Tengku Zafrul’s decision confirms rumours in February that he would leave Umno and join PKR before his term as a senator expires at the year’s end.

Tengku Zafrul said he had conveyed his intention to join PKR to party president Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. He also said he would go through the usual procedure to apply to be a PKR member.

Puad, who is Rengit assemblyman, said one of Umno’s biggest mistakes was “spoiling” Tengku Zafrul too much by giving him the red carpet treatment.

“He was made an election candidate, a division chief, a Supreme Council member, and appointed as investment, trade and industry minister.

“It should never be repeated. Umno must stop bringing in individuals with no roots or commitment to the party. Tengku Zafrul never had any real royalty to Umno,” Puad said.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

BN Menang Di Ayer Kuning, Tapi UMNO Masih Gagal Tangani Naratif UMDAP

Tengku Zafrul was previously an Umno Supreme Council member and also headed the Kota Raja Umno division.

He had contested the Kuala Selangor seat during the 2022 general election but lost to Amanah’s Dzulkefly Ahmad by 1,002 votes in a four-cornered contest.

In December last year, there were rumours that he was planning to join PKR in an apparent bid to become the next Selangor menteri besar. He later denied being in talks over state-level positions.

But speculation was further fuelled after Anwar confirmed that talks were under way for Tengku Zafrul to join the party.

Puad today said that Tengku Zafrul should have been expelled earlier, when news of his plans to join PKR made headlines. “He hadn’t even been attending Supreme Council meetings for some time.”