The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul, in a statement today, announced that he has submitted a letter of resignation to UMNO due to his plan to join PKR.
In the statement, Tengku Zafrul said that he has submitted a letter to the UMNO leadership. asserting his intention to resign as a member of the party’s Supreme Council, the Kota Raja division chief and as a party member.
Tengku Zafrul quits UMNO and intends to join PKR
Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul
He added that he made the difficult decision to resign from the party since joining in 1997 after getting advice from his friends from inside and outside the party, including from UMNO President Dato’ Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi.
The MITI Minister further said that the decision was taken after self-reflection and considering several factors, including compatibility and suitability.
In the statement, he also revealed that he has notified PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the party’s Secretary-General of his intention to join the party.
Tengku Zafrul asserted that he has taken the usual process of applying to become a PKR member.
With that in mind, the MITI Minister thanked his friends, supporters and all UMNO members for their support throughout his time in UMNO.
Dr Akmal tells Tengku Zafrul to resign as MITI Minister too
Dr Akmal Saleh
UMNO Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh has since replied to Tengku Zafrul’s statement, cynically telling the MITI Minister to resign from the Cabinet too.
He also sarcastically said that UMNO members are “happy” with the news of Tengku Zafrul’s resignation from the party, saying,
“UMNO members are too happy with this news. He came uninvited and left without anyone regretting it”
Dr Akmal also sarcastically told PKR to accept the MITI Minister’s application to join the party so that it can show how “loyal” the relationship between UMNO and PKR is.
Well, in case you didn’t know, unless he contests and wins a Parliamentary seat, Tengku Zaful actually has to resign as MITI Minister in December 2025, as he was appointed into the Cabinet as a Senator.
So, what do you guys think of the whole situation? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments.
