Symbolic act: Ahmad Zahid attending a pre-Gawai celebration at the Rumah Panjang Raeh Baru in Serian, Sarawak. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/ The Star
SERIAN: Umno wants a Cabinet minister post following Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s exit from the party, says party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid said this was because Umno had seven Cabinet ministers previously, and Tengku Zafrul’s departure would leave the Barisan Nasional lynchpin with only six ministers.
“With Tengku Zafrul being out of Umno, we will request one full ministerial seat to be given to Umno, so that we will have seven (ministers),” Ahmad Zahid told reporters during a pre-Gawai celebration event.
The Umno president said he held discussions with Tengku Zafrul in Parliament three months ago, adding that he has no issues with the latter leaving the party.
“But we should know that it is unethical for any parties within the unity government to accept another member from an allied party,” he pointed out.
Ahmad Zahid said when Tengku Zafrul was appointed to the Cabinet in 2023, it was not mentioned that this was done under an Umno ministerial quota.
“But back then, an Umno vice-president was appointed a minister based on an Umno quota. This gives the perception that the appointment came about because he was representing Umno,” said Ahmad Zahid.
Ahmad Zahid said the party received Tengku Zafrul’s resignation letter yesterday.
He said during the 15th General Election, Barisan and Umno candidates are bound by an agreement not to defect to another party with a RM100mil bond.
“Tengku Zafrul lost when contesting an MP seat. Nevertheless, he was appointed as a senator. I will check with Umno’s legal advisers on whether this agreement and bond are tied to his case,” said Ahmad Zahid.
Meanwhile, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was of the view that Tengku Zafrul is not bound by the pledge signed by Barisan candidates as he became a minister on the basis of being a senator.
“That is not included within the scope of the agreement because Tengku Zafrul did not win the election. That is a pledge made by an elected representative or a state assemblyman or a Member of Parliament (referring to the pledge).
“If they win, the seat belongs to the party, not to the individual, and the individual who becomes a candidate and wins, they sign many agreements including reimbursing the costs incurred by the party,” he said, Bernama reported.
Vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani concurred, saying that Tengku Zafrul is not tied to any anti-hopping laws, as his ministerial appointment was not via Parliament but through senatorship.
He also said Umno’s cooperation with PKR within the unity government remains intact despite Tengku Zafrul’s resignation from the party.
He said both parties must remain united in their efforts to ensure the country’s political stability.
