KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz’s absence in the Dewan Rakyat today when finance matters were up for debate drew flak from opposition lawmakers who suggested he may be too preoccupied with his new role as Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) treasurer.
Teresa Kok (Seputeh-PH) and R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) took aim at the senator for leaving his two deputies to answer questions raised by MPs when debating the Free Zones (Amendment) Bill 2022, which was among several matters under the Finance Ministry before the House today.
Kok said the questions required a response directly from the minister himself.
“Is this because BN is planning to send him to the ground in Selangor to be the coalition’s poster boy for the upcoming election?” she said.
“This (minister’s absence) shows he is not responsible and should not be made candidate for the Selangor menteri besar post.”
Deputy Finance Minister II Yamani Hafez Musa had been answering on behalf of the ministry instead.
Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan-PN) defended Tengku Zafrul’s deputies, saying they were capable enough to answer any questions posed to them.
“On the question of whether he will be the (BN) poster boy, that’s his problem. If he gets it, then so be it. If you want him, you can ask DAP to support (BN) in Selangor,” Bung quipped.
Tengku Zafrul was named as Selangor BN treasurer last Sunday by state BN chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar, as part of the coalition’s bid to retake the state in the 15th general election.
This has given rise to speculation that the former banker could be eyeing the menteri besar position.
Don’t be too occupied with politics
Earlier today, Rayer questioned Tengku Zafrul’s commitment as finance minister, after supposedly failing to address various infrastructural issues in Penang.
The DAP lawmaker accused Putrajaya of treating the state like an adopted child and asked if the minister and his deputies had ever visited the free trade zone in Bayan Lepas to truly understand the issues there.
“I plead (to) the speaker to please advise the minister, don’t be too occupied with his position as Selangor BN treasurer,” Rayer said. – The Vibes, August 3, 2022
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