KUALA LUMPUR – Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz’s recent appointment as Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN)’s new treasurer may have arrived as a surprise, with several observers wondering if he is the coalition’s choice for the menteri besar post.
On Sunday, BN Selangor chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar said Tengku Zafrul’s appointment was part of a “reshuffle” for the coalition which is looking to retake the state from Pakatan Harapan (PH) where PKR had led its administration since 2008.
However, political observers have made varying assessments of BN’s latest strategy going into the next general election (GE15).
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geostrategist Prof Azmi Hassan said he believes Tengku Zafrul is indeed a likely menteri besar candidate for BN, given his high-profile status.
Given the media coverage he has received, I would say that Tengku Zafrul could indeed be the candidate for menteri besar as the coalition’s hopes to recapture Selangor from PH.”
With the move, Tengku Zafrul replaces Umno Sg Besar division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos, who was redesignated as BN Selangor’s communications chief.
Tengku Zafrul’s appointment has also led to speculation that he is BN’s “poster boy” for Selangor, as party insiders have noted he is eyeing a contest in a state assembly seat, especially within the Kuala Selangor parliamentary constituency.
Azmi said BN could be seizing the opportunity to retake Selangor as PH, especially its lynchpin party PKR, was in turmoil and at its “weakest point”.
He also said fielding Tengku Zafrul in Selangor would provide voters in the state with a “fresh face”, and a professional who is not among most of Umno’s political warlords.
The academician also noted that Tengku Zafrul – and some members from his ministry – have been making rounds in Kuala Selangor in recent months, which has led to the speculation that he had set his eyes on the constituency.
Downgrade… or upgrade?
Asked whether becoming a menteri besar was considered a downgrade for Tengku Zafrul, who currently holds a cabinet post, Azmi said this was not the case.
“To be head of any state is equivalent to any post in cabinet, or to even surpass some cabinet portfolios, and more so for Selangor, which is the most developed state in the country,” Azmi said.
It might not only be an upgrade for Tengku Zafrul, but a show of confidence by BN. So I think this is a strategic decision by BN in giving a better choice to what PH has to offer.”
At 49, Tengku Zafrul could also attract younger voters, giving incumbent Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, 42, a run for his money.
On Sunday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters that Tengku Zafrul’s appointment was the first step taken by the former banker to “dive into politics”.
Zahid also noted that Tengku Zafrul is an Umno member who has been registered with the party’s branch in Travers since 1993.
Political insiders have also noted that Tengku Zafrul – who was appointed as a senator, and finance minister under Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration – may not be helming the ministry after GE15.
Instead, other candidates lined up for the finance portfolio may include other corporate figures-turned-politicians such as Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Another contender for the finance minister is said to be Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin under the provision that the Bersatu secretary-general makes his return to Umno, the insiders noted.
Another corporate figure as MB?
On the other hand, Tengku Zafrul may have an upper hand in the state, owing to his family ties with the Selangor palace.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun told The Vibes that although a faction in Umno would like to “groom” Tengku Zafrul, the mainstream members who have previously criticised the finance minister may not necessarily accept him.
“In any case, Umno would like to present another corporate figure similar to the late (Tan Sri) Khalid Ibrahim, who could hopefully woo the more worldly Selangor voters.”
Oh also indicated that this may be a move for Tengku Zafrul to remain relevant in the political arena post-GE15.
“(Tengku) Zafrul is currently only a senator without having been elected. And Selangor is the richest state in the country,” Oh said.
Political inexperience: Tengku Zafrul’s pitfall?
Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Azmil Tayeb said it is unlikely that Zafrul is BN’s candidate for menteri besar.
“He is politically inexperienced, has no grassroots support, and barely has name recognition and no good public track record to speak of,” Azmil said.
“Plus, he’ll be stepping on the toes of senior Umno politicians like Noh Omar, who feel more deserving of the MB position.”
Another observer from PN said Tengku Zafrul could in fact be set up for failure.
He has no track record other than being a banker and then a hand-picked finance minister.
“He is a Bersatu-appointed minister of the choicest position after prime minister. You think Umno is just going to allow him to have it so easily?” said the observer, who wished to speak anonymously.
The observer said Tengku Zafrul does not hold any senior position in Umno, but by holding the purse strings, he can be very powerful.
“Why would senior Umno leaders allow that to happen? So the best option is to get him out of the way by offering him (the post of) menteri besar of Selangor – not an easy task to achieve, as BN has to win the state first,” he said. – The Vibes, August 3, 2022
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