TENGKU Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who sent his resignation letter from Umno to join PKR, is not bound by the anti-hopping law or the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 2022 (Act A1663).
Umno Vice President Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said this was because the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry is an appointed Senator and not a Member of Parliament.
The Plantation and Commodities Minister stressed that Tengku Zafrul's resignation from the party is not subject to the same conditions as those imposed on MPs.
"I have nothing to comment on, I just want to wish him well. In politics, we cannot force people to do anything," he said as reported by Berita Harian.
Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul confirmed the submission of his resignation letter as an Umno supreme council as well as his position as its Kota Raja division chief.
Johari stressed that the action taken by Tengku Zafrul did not affect Umno's relationship with the Unity Government.
At this time, he stressed, the most important thing is to ensure political stability so that the Unity Government remains until the end of its term.
"We can no longer fight because each of us has a role. Like me, who is part of the Unity Government, we have a responsibility, one of which is to ensure political stability.
"If there is no political stability, how can we develop the country. So, this issue (Tengku Zafrul) does not affect the alliance in the Unity Government," he said.
Asked about the Umno Youth Chief's insistence that Tengku Zafrul resign as a minister, Johari said that the power to appoint or otherwise is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister. – May 31, 2025
