Malaysian trade minister Zafrul guns for Umno supreme council seat

IN WHAT marks the biggest move that could make or break his political ambitions, Tengku Zafrul Aziz – Malaysia’s newly-appointed Minister of International Trade and Industry – said he is keen to gun for a supreme council seat in Umno at its upcoming party election.

 “I want to play the long game... equally important is my position in Umno. I have to have a strong or senior position (in Umno),” Zafrul told The Business Times in an interview on Tuesday (Jan 31).

He continued: “The party election is coming and there are a few positions I am thinking of to play a more prominent role. One is to contest as head of my division (Kota Raja). The other – if given the opportunity – is to contest at the supreme council level, that is, if I am allowed to do so by (the) Umno supreme council.”

This is the first time Zafrul, who is Umno’s Kota Raja division committee member and treasurer for Umno Selangor, has publicly spoken about his intention to step up his political game plan.

His remarks follow hot on the heels of a controversial move last weekend by Zahid Hamidi, president of Umno – Malaysia’s oldest and dominant Malay political party – who sacked several prominent party leaders ahead of the party polls set to take place from Feb 1 to Mar 18. They include former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who has openly expressed his hope to one day lead Umno and become the country’s prime minister, and former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Zahid’s move, perceived as one motivated to rid the party of his detractors while eliminating the threat of them taking any top posts in the looming party election, has stirred discontent among party leaders and grassroots members.

Zafrul, a 49-year-old who held key positions at Malaysia’s two largest banks, Maybank and CIMB Group, lost the race under Umno-led Barisan Nasional for the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in Malaysia’s recent 15th General Election (GE15) by merely 1,002 votes. This had marked his maiden election foray. He was reappointed as senator to pave the way for his comeback to the Malaysian cabinet two months ago, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“That (appointment to cabinet) was a decision by the prime minister. I cannot choose my portfolio. But party politics is separate, so I have to now think about my role in the party,” said Zafrul, who is married to the great-granddaughter of the fifth Sultan of Selangor.

He previously held the country’s powerful portfolio of finance minister, when he was first hired for the top finance job in 2020 by then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, as the pandemic was wreaking havoc on businesses and consumers. He even managed to survive Malaysia’s volatile politics and retained the vaunted cabinet post following a quick regime change a year later, led by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Zafrul said it was up to the individuals to express an interest to compete for a place on Umno’s supreme council, but whether one would be able to contest was the “prerogative” of the party.

“Yes, I have expressed interest that I want to compete (for a place) on the supreme council. I want to contest and play a contributing role in Umno, and one way I see it (is) to be a supreme council member and (I) hope to be able to contest,” said Zafrul.

The trade minister was in Singapore for a three-day investment mission, as part of Anwar’s first official visit to Singapore since he was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister on Nov 24.

The party election of Umno is shaping up to be an eventful one. Zahid’s move to suspend and sack Umno leaders and members without a show cause letter was deemed unfair by some supreme council members.