Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz announces departure from UMNO for ruling party PKR.
Singapore, May 31 - Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, announced his departure from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) on Friday, May 30. His decision comes after a series of recent cabinet resignations.
Tengku Zafrul tendered his resignation from his position as an UMNO supreme council member, the Kota Raja division chief, and party member, posted on his Facebook account on Friday night. He mentioned the forthcoming decision as a challenging one, stating that he sought advice from friends within and outside the UMNO before making the final move.
The minister revealed he had spent considerable time deliberating, given that UMNO was the only political party he had ever associated with, since 1997. He explained that self-discipline and a careful evaluation of various factors had contributed to his decision, particularly considering compatibility and fitting in.
In the context of Malaysia's political landscape, two other cabinet ministers, Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, had stepped down from their positions following a significant internal election within the ruling People's Justice Party (PKR). Their resignations were a result of their failure to secure key leadership roles within the party. Specifically, Rafizi lost the deputy presidency, and Nik Nazmi lost his vice-presidency position, with Nurul Izzah Anwar, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's daughter, winning the deputy presidency.
It remains unclear whether Tengku Zafrul's decision to leave UMNO is directly linked to the recent changes within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. However, it is seen as a separate development from the PKR internal election outcomes.
The Malaysian government maintains stability despite these resignations, with temporary arrangements in place to cover the duties of the departing ministers. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has assured that his other ministers will handle the responsibilities of those on leave. As of now, there is no urgent need for a cabinet reshuffle.
top stories: Tengku Zafrul, a Malaysian cabinet minister, has left the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) following a series of recent resignations, adding to the shifts in Malaysia's political landscape.
policy-and-legislation: Amidst these changes, the Malaysian government, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the helm, is maintaining stability, demonstrating the country's ability to navigate through internal political adjustments without an immediate need for a cabinet reshuffle.
