PUTRAJAYA: Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who quit as Selangor Umno treasurer in April, is set to leave the party soon to join PKR.
Top-level negotiations have already been completed for the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister’s entry into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s party, according to those in the know.
When Tengku Zafrul quit his Selangor Umno post, the announcement was seen as a strong statement that he no longer had any interest in Umno.
He had cited differences of opinion and a lack of direction for his decision. In a statement shared via Facebook, he said the state Umno needed strong leadership to again make it the powerhouse that it once was.
His entry into PKR does not come as a surprise as Tengku Zafrul has worked well with Anwar and is regarded as an asset in the Cabinet.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, meanwhile, has also expressed privately his intention to seek a federal post.
In 2022, he also became an MP when he defeated former Selangor MB Datuk Seri Mohd Azmin Ali to capture the Gombak parliamentary seat.
Top PKR officials said it would be a natural leadership progression for Amirudin.
It is not clear how Tengku Zafrul would be able to use his experience in the party, but he will certainly be an asset at the federal or state level.
As things stand, he can no longer be a minister after December 2025 when his term as a senator ends, unless he wins an MP seat.
The next general election must be held by 2027 but there has been speculation it could be called in 2026.
Meanwhile, it is uncertain when the official announcement of Tengku Zafrul joining PKR will be made.
The party secretary-general Fuziah Salleh has reportedly said there are no special pathways to join the party.
She reportedly said anyone wishing to join the party, including Tengku Zafrul, must follow the standard procedures.
However, among some senior Umno officials, there is talk of Tengku Zafrul wanting to join PKR.
“It is important that a proper narrative be outlined in the announcement as he will still be in the unity government,” one official said.
