The media reported that Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has tendered his resignation letter to Umno and announced his decision to join PKR.
He told the public via a Facebook post that the decision was not made easily and he, in fact, had sought viewpoints and advice from friends both within and outside Umno, including party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Some Umno leaders like Youth chief Akmal Saleh believe Zafrul’s exit from Umno has left its members “absolutely delighted” as he came uninvited; thus, his departure is not mourned.
Some remind him of the repercussions of party hopping. Some are even mad at PKR for allegedly “stealing” their leader.
Zafrul - who was a banker- made a maiden entry into national politics when he was appointed as a senator cum finance minister when Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin became prime minister.
Inexperience breeds awkwardness
In Malaysia, a minister who is appointed via senatorship is often viewed as a parachute politician.
Without being appointed as senator, there was no way Zafrul could be appointed as a minister. That is the law enshrined in our Federal Constitution.
When I was an MP, I noticed several times his utter nervousness in answering questions in the August House.
Occasionally, his “frankness” in answering questions in Parliament merely reflected his political ineptness. To be fair, he was a rookie politician and extremely raw.
Fortunately, he had companionship - another inexperienced minister then was the religious minister (a former federal territories mufti).
Politically speaking, it is a truism to say that not any Tom, Dick, and Henry can become a politician, let alone a wise one.
Those who are not poised to become politicians should not jump onto the bandwagon.
Anyway, in the last general election, Zafrul was fielded to contest in Kuala Selangor.
Surprise appointment
Despite being defeated by the current health minister, he was surprisingly and hurriedly appointed as a minister. Many were taken aback.
Like or not, his appointment by a government guided by the notion of reform only ruins the word “reform” itself.
Some even mockingly remarked that such a mind-boggling appointment is, perhaps, only possible in Malaysian politics.
Anyway to his discredit, hitherto Zafrul has never been elected by people cum voters.
Ergo, he is not, strictly speaking, a leader who really represents the people. At least not yet.
It is indeed puzzling as to why he decided to join PKR. After all, on social media, netizens tend to speculate there is a strong likelihood that the Madani government would not be given a second chance to govern all of us.
If such a speculation turns out to be true, it is not clear what would happen to Zafrul.
My advice to Zafrul: “Go wisely and slowly. Those who rush stumble and fall.” - Mkini
HANIPA MAIDIN is former deputy law minister.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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