PETALING JAYA: Umno’s legal bureau has been asked to look into possible implications of the anti-hopping law in relation to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic).
The Umno Information chief said although the Prime Minister chairs the Unity Council, each minister was appointed as an official representative of their respective parties.
“Umno remains committed to serving the nation in the unity government and will continue to fulfill the people’s mandate.
“As such, Umno’s legal bureau has been asked to study the implications of the anti-hopping law, including the status of a senator, to ensure that the next course of action is in compliance with the legal framework,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Azalina, who is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), said she respected the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister’s decision to quit Umno for PKR and that Umno believed in an individual’s freedom to make such choices.
However, she said Cabinet positions were given based on party mandate and not on a personal capacity.
On Saturday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it was unethical for any party within the unity government to accept membership applications from former leaders or members of its allies.
The deputy prime minister, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said he was not surprised by Tengku Zafrul’s announcement to quit Umno and join PKR, revealing that they had discussed the matter during a parliamentary session three months ago.
He, however, said Umno wanted a Cabinet post as with Tengku Zafrul’s exit, the party will only be left with six ministers.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani were both reported to have said that Tengku Zafrul, a senator, was not bound by the anti-hopping law because he was not an elected representative.
Mohamad was reported to have said on Saturday that the review of a pledge signed by Tengku Zafrul as a Barisan candidate in the last general election also could not be enforced as he did not win in the polls.
He said Tengku Zafrul was made a minister on the basis of being a senator.
