PKR secretary-general Fuizah Salleh has denied allegations that the party originally intended to welcome outgoing Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz as a party member since last year.
This was in response to former party deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s claims last week, who said that Prime Minister and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim was supposed to announce Zafrul’s membership at the 2024 PKR annual convention.
"As for the 2024 convention, I can confirm that there was absolutely no effort from anyone to announce Zafrul's entry into the party," she was quoted in the New Straits Times yesterday.
Fuziah (above, right) also dismissed Rafizi’s allegations that initial plans to recruit Zafrul into PKR began around April 2024.
She explained that Zafrul had submitted a letter expressing his interest in joining the party after returning from the haj pilgrimage in May 2025.
She also said that he only completed the party membership form after PKR reopened its online membership system, following this year's party election.
"However, there was no formal application until the membership system was reopened. PKR membership system is fully online, and all applications must be submitted through the platform," Fuziah added.
In his podcast last week, Rafizi, who is also a former economy minister, said Zafrul had been initially slated to join the party and become an MP through a by-election last year.
According to Rafizi, if the plan had been successful, it would have helped Zafrul to save his position in the government, while he, in turn, was expected to help “melicinkan jalan” (pave the way) for Nurul Izzah Anwar to replace Amirudin Shari as Selangor menteri besar.
He also claimed that Anwar had been the biggest proponent of Zafrul’s entry into the party.
However, Rafizi said the idea eventually faltered due to Umno’s fierce objection against PKR poaching their party members.
Zafrul was accepted as a PKR member in July this year, after he tendered his resignation from Umno and announced his intention to join PKR on May 30.
Filling vacancies
Zafrul, whose senatorship in the Dewan Negara expires today, is anticipated to be appointed to a new position, which will be announced tomorrow.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, reportedly labelled Zafrul’s role in steering the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation as being very commendable.
Yesterday, the premier told reporters that there would be no major cabinet reshuffle, but merely a move to fill roles which have been left vacant.
Speculations over the impending reshuffle resurfaced as several ministers are expected to end their service following the expiry of their senatorships this month.
They include Zafrul, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Talks were also rife about the candidates who would be picked to replace Rafizi, former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and former entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister Ewon Benedick, who have all resigned from their cabinet posts. - Mkini
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