Umno objects to Zafrul's PKR move

Summary:

• Umno objects to plans for Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz to defect to PKR.

• Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki cites the Sheraton Move as a precautionary tale.

Umno has objected to the alleged plans for its supreme council member Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz to jump ship and join PKR.

Party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Umno would not "accept or allow" party-hopping for any members of the coalition government.

"The culture of poaching members or leaders from each others' parties will only cause arguments and fights that threaten the stability of the coalition.

"The bitter experience of the past political alliances should suffice - in which the government collapsed because of betrayal, party hopping and poaching of members from within the alliance," he said in a statement on Facebook today.

This was in reference to the Sheraton Move in which Bersatu poached several PKR MPs to join them, triggering the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020.

Earlier today, Prime Minister and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that initial discussions had taken place within the party regarding Zafrul's potential entry.

Anwar added that while Harapan has historically not supported such moves, it has never been restricted.

In late 2020 and early 2021, five Amanah representatives had defected to PKR.

‘Anwar reached out to Zahid’

Asyraf said today that Anwar had reached out to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi about Zafrul's alleged plans.

Earlier, Zafrul - who is the investment, trade and industry minister - stated that he would address the rumours soon, including speculation about him replacing PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari as Selangor menteri besar.

Zafrul’s ministerial role is set to end in December next year due to the term limit of his senatorship, which prevents reappointment.

The speculation is that he would join PKR, get elected as an assemblyperson in a by-election, and replace Amirudin while the latter would become a federal minister.

Amirudin, however, said yesterday that he would serve his full term as menteri besar until 2028.

Anwar confirms initial talks on Zafrul's possible move to PKR

Akmal sees red over 'poaching' attempt, calls for coalition review

Zahid can't confirm Zafrul quitting, tells allies not to poach Umno members

Zafrul joining PKR? No membership form received yet, says sec-gen