Umno President Zahid Addresses Zafrul's Potential Departure and Denies Party's Involvement in MACC Probe

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been active on multiple fronts, addressing concerns about potential defections within the party and responding to investigations involving a former prime minister. Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Umno Supreme Council breaking fast event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Zahid addressed the swirling rumors surrounding Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz's future with Umno.

Zahid revealed that he had met with Zafrul the previous week to discuss the latter's contemplation of leaving Umno and potentially joining Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR. Zahid stated, “He met me last week, and I conveyed the party’s view that he does not need to rush into making a decision now because he is a minister, the division chief of Kota Raja, and also an elected and winning Supreme Council member. So, there is no need to be hasty.” While Zahid acknowledged Zafrul's expression of intent to leave, he clarified that Zafrul remains an Umno member for the time being.

The speculation about Zafrul's potential defection gained traction in December of the previous year when Anwar confirmed discussions had taken place. Anwar admitted that while PKR had not extended an invitation to Zafrul, he remained open to the possibility. In response to these developments, Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki asserted that the party would not condone the poaching of its leaders, emphasizing that such practices would destabilize the coalition.

In a separate matter, Zahid firmly denied any connection between Umno and the cash and gold bars seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during its investigation into former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Zahid clarified that the seized assets were not related to political funding or any collections made by Umno.