KUALA LUMPUR – Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has voiced concern over Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s potential entry into PKR, warning that such a move could create uncertainty and disrupt the fragile balance within the unity government.
Rafizi noted that while there is nothing in the unity government’s founding agreement that explicitly prevents leaders from switching parties, this issue falls into a “grey area” that must be addressed collectively by the coalition’s components.
“This needs to be discussed within the unity government. It’s a grey area, but allowing Tengku Zafrul in could set a precedent that leads to further instability,” he told reporters in Ampang today.
He emphasized that criticisms raised by Umno leaders regarding Tengku Zafrul’s departure from their party were valid and warranted serious consideration from the unity government’s leadership.
“When Umno leaders object to this, where do you draw the line?” he asked, suggesting that accepting a leader from a coalition partner could open the floodgates to similar defections.
When questioned whether PKR would then have to allow its members to move to other parties under similar circumstances, Rafizi said it was up to the party’s leadership to clarify their position.
Earlier, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki criticized the idea of parties within the unity government unilaterally accepting defectors from their coalition partners.
He said such actions were “very inappropriate” and could breed distrust among grassroots members.
“This could spark ongoing suspicion about the level of loyalty, sincerity, and honesty among coalition partners,” Asyraf warned.
Umno’s legal bureau is now examining the legal ramifications of Tengku Zafrul’s resignation from the party, including its potential breach of the party-hopping law and implications for his position as a senator.
Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said echoed that while individuals have the right to political freedom, ministerial appointments are made based on party affiliation, not personal credentials.
She stressed that Cabinet positions are determined through party representation, despite the prime minister also being the chair of the unity government’s national council.
On Friday, Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation from Umno and all associated posts. He also revealed he had informed PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and secretary-general Fuziah Salleh of his intent to join PKR.
