SHAH ALAM — Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz's use of 'resignation' as the Selangor Umno treasurer only shows that he is desperate.
According to sources close to the matter, Zafrul's decision to step down was perceived as a political maneuvering to maintain his relevance in politics, especially considering that his term as a Senator was nearing its end by the close of next year.
"It's evident that Zafrul is taking proactive steps to secure his political future.
"With the end of his tenure as a Senator approaching, he's exploring alternative avenues to remain active in the political arena," a source familiar with the situation told Sinar Daily.
Having already served two terms as a Senator, Zafrul's options for holding ministerial positions are limited once his current term concludes.
Hence, his resignation from the Selangor Umno treasurer position was viewed as part of a larger strategy to position himself strategically for future political roles.
"He basically needs a seat," the source added.
Meanwhile, another source stated that it was also due to his ongoing "beef” with State Umno chief Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who had allegedly dropped his name during the State Election back in August last year.
The "name-dropping” revelation came after Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan back in July when Barisan Nasional announced the candidates for the six state elections. He was quoted saying that: "The Umno Selangor Liaison Committee did not list Zafrul’s name in the BN candidate line-up for the upcoming state election.”
Rumours that Zafrul’s name was "deliberately dropped” began when Keluar Sekejap podcast hosts Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan claimed that Megat had aspired to become the Selangor Deputy Menteri Besar but would have been impossible if Zafrul was readily available to serve the state.
Zafrul's appointment as Selangor Umno treasurer in April 2022 drew criticism, particularly due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from his previous role as the finance minister.
Critics argued that his involvement in constituency matters, such as adopting Kuala Selangor, could compromise his impartiality and raise questions about his political motivations.
In his farewell statement, Zafrul stressed the importance of Umno strengthening its foothold in Selangor.
He stressed the need for comprehensive strategies to engage with voters and stakeholders, including fostering stronger collaborations with other political parties.
His departure comes amidst ongoing challenges for Umno in Selangor, where the party has faced declining support since losing control of the state in 2008.
In the 2023 state election, Umno, in coalition with Pakatan Harapan, managed to secure only two out of the 12 seats contested, reflecting the party's struggle to resonate with voters, particularly in the face of growing competition from other political factions.