Tengku Zafrul’s PKR talks have damaged relations in govt, say analysts

On Sunday, Tengku Zafrul Aziz confirmed holding talks on leaving Umno and joining PKR, but said no decision has been made yet.

PETALING JAYA: 

Tengku Zafrul Aziz may not have made a final decision about whether to switch over from Umno to PKR, but analysts say the episode has already damaged inter-party relations within the unity government.

Chin Yee Mun of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman said this was clear from the negative reaction of Umno leaders to reports of Tengku Zafrul’s potential move.

“The damage has been done. It is like when sister companies try to headhunt each other’s staff. Relations will be affected,” he told FMT.

Last Friday, FMT quoted a source from Selangor Umno as saying that intense negotiations were ongoing over the possibility of Tengku Zafrul leaving Umno to join PKR.

Chin Yee Mun.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Supreme Council member had yet to notify the party officially of his proposed exit. However, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that “preliminary discussions” had taken place.

On Sunday, Tengku Zafrul confirmed holding talks but said no decision has been made. He also denied suggestions that the negotiations involved him standing for election or securing a state-level position.

In response, Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi challenged PKR to show some “moral backbone” and “respect” for its allies by rejecting Tengku Zafrul’s application to join the party.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party strongly opposed party-hopping within the unity government, while Youth chief Dr Akmal Salleh called for the party to reassess its alliances within the unity government.

‘Lame duck’

Chin said Umno’s discontent was understandable given that many of its leaders had left for rival parties in recent years, inflicting serious damage to the party’s reputation and strength.

“Though the circumstances of Tengku Zafrul’s potential departure may be different, the result is the same or probably worse as he would be leaving to join a friendly party,” he said.

Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani.

Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, a partner at strategic advisory firm ADA Southeast Asia, said the present situation is likely to make Tengku Zafrul a lame duck within Umno.

“He has prioritised his own interests over that of the party, and Umno members will not forgive him for that,” said the analyst.

Asrul warned that Umno members would also likely demand that Tengku Zafrul be relieved of his position as investment, trade, and industry minister, and for the portfolio to be reassigned to another party member.

However, both Chin and Asrul, say Umno is unlikely to pull out of the unity government in protest.

“I think it will not be that severe. As of now, too much is at stake, but it will be one of the factors that damages relations,” said Chin.

Asrul said Zahid is unlikely to withdraw Umno from the unity government unless he believes he can maintain his political position outside of it.

“Currently, Zahid’s influence over party leaders is largely rooted in his role as deputy prime minister,” he said. - FMT