Unity government parties are set to receive a demonstrative missive from Umno, acknowledging their affiliation of Umno members.
In a significant shift, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, a prominent figure in Umno, has announced his resignation from the party and joined PKR, the People's Justice Party. This move, however, does not seem to indicate a breakdown of the overall Umno-PKR ties, as the relationship between the two parties remains complex but shows signs of continued collaboration within the broader political landscape.
Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Umno secretary-general, issued a stern warning to the other components in the unity government, expressing concerns that Tengku Zafrul's decision could complicate the relationship among the parties. However, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the party was not losing sleep over Tengku Zafrul's decision to quit, adding that it was "better (that) he left if he couldn't remain loyal."
Tengku Zafrul's application to join PKR was accepted two weeks earlier, and he is now a member of PKR's Ampang division. The move has sparked debates and calls for Barisan Nasional to review its partnership with Pakatan Harapan for the next general election if PKR accepts Tengku Zafrul as a member.
Despite political tensions and historical rivalries, Anwar Ibrahim, PKR leader and prime minister as of mid-2025, has maintained working ties with Umno. In fact, some UMNO leaders serve as ministers in his government, reflecting ongoing political collaboration and negotiation between UMNO and PKR as part of a coalition government.
UMNO also publicly insists on its independence and denies allegations of wrongdoing in certain legal cases, signaling it remains a distinct entity even as individual politicians move between parties. The current status of the Umno-PKR relationship can be described as continued pragmatic coalition politics, with political relationships remaining fluid, with collaboration at the leadership level despite occasional individual defections and underlying tensions.
No recent sources explicitly report a major rupture or complete resolution in the Umno-PKR relationship following Tengku Zafrul’s party change. The ongoing cooperation between the parties, as part of the shared government structure under Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, which includes members from Pakatan Harapan (PKR’s coalition), UMNO, and other parties in the cabinet, is a testament to this pragmatism.
- Tengku Zafrul, previously of Umno, is now a member of PKR's Ampang division, causing debates about Barisan Nasional's future partnership with Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming general election.
- Despite his resignation from Umno, Tengku Zafrul's decision does not appear to signify a complete breakdown in the relationship between Umno and PKR, as there are signs of continued collaboration within the broader political landscape.
- Umno has had ministers serving in the government led by Anwar Ibrahim, PKR leader and prime minister as of mid-2025, reflecting ongoing political collaboration and negotiation between the two parties.
- The current Umno-PKR relationship can be described as a pragmatic coalition politics, characterized by fluid relationships at the leadership level, despite occasional individual defections and underlying tensions.
