Corporate figure-turned-politician Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has confirmed that he will be eyeing a seat in the Umno supreme council in the upcoming party election.
The international trade and industry minister was quoted by Astro Awani as saying that the move is necessary for him to build his political foundation in the long run.
“If I were given the opportunity, I humbly offer myself to contest for a post in the Umno supreme council to continue contributing to the party,” he said.
The increasingly dynamic political landscape, he said, had created the space for healthy and constructive competition.
He added that Umno is an experienced party with leaders who are mature in facing the ups and downs of politics.
“Therefore, I believe that the party’s leaders and grassroots want to see a combination of leadership that is more dynamic with diverse backgrounds to ensure that the process of strengthening the party post-15th general election (GE15) could be achieved.”
In the recent GE15, Zafrul contested the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat under the Umno/BN flag but lost to incumbent Dzulkefly Ahmad by 1,002 votes.
Despite his defeat, he was made a senator and given a ministerial position by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
On Jan 14, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that Zafrul will be in charge of Selangor in the looming state polls.
Meanwhile, a source close to Umno told Malaysiakini that Zafrul might be contesting in a constituency under the Kota Raja parliamentary seat, where the incumbent is Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.
“There have been discussions to bring Zafrul into one of the state constituencies under Kota Raja.
“Zafrul also changed his Umno membership to the Kota Raja division last month. But the top level (party leadership) will decide which seat he will contest,” the source added, on condition of anonymity.
For the record, there are three constituencies under Kota Raja - Sentosa, Sungai Kandis and Kota Kemuning. All three seats are under Pakatan Harapan.
Another source told Malaysiakini that the former finance minister has been shortlisted for either the Sungai Kandis or Kota Kemuning seat.
“Sungai Kandis has been traditionally contested by Umno…
“There must be discussions among the top leadership for Harapan to step aside for Umno in the coming state election,” added the source. - Mkini
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