Tengku Zafrul joining PKR more favourable than aligning with PN - Amirudin

SHAH ALAM - Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has stated that Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz potentially joining PKR would have been a more favourable move compared to aligning with the Opposition or Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Amirudin, however stressed that such a decision needed careful deliberation among the component parties within the Unity Government to ensure it aligned with the coalition's broader framework and objectives.

“Yes, we discussed thoroughly what would have been better—whether he would have joined PN or the Unity Government coalition.

"This matter had to be considered within a ‘big framework’ and not influenced by the demands of specific groups,” he said.

He made these remarks while speaking to reporters on Monday after officiating the departure of the Skuad Ihsan Madani Post-Flood Relief Mission convoy for Kelantan.

Earlier, media reports highlighted a warning from Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who cautioned parties within the Unity Government against poaching members or leaders from other coalition partners.

He stressed that such actions could create dissatisfaction and disrupt the coalition's harmony.

On Sunday, Prime Minister and PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that PKR had engaged in preliminary discussions regarding Tengku Zafrul’s potential entry into the party.

Anwar confirmed that PKR had remained open to welcoming new members.

Amirudin later clarified that these discussions were informal and should not be interpreted as a basis for any official decision.

“It hadn’t been officially discussed at the Political Bureau or Central Leadership Council (MPP) levels so far.

"We would wait for a formal application, if any, but such matters needed to be handled through close discussions with our Unity Government partners. We could not rely on hearsay or informal talks to make formal decisions,” he added.

When asked about Zahid's use of the term "poaching," Amirudin stated that interpretations varied.

“That term—poaching, taking, and so on—is subjective.

"Everyone has their dignity, and I understand. There is a big framework that people sometimes overlook. When forgotten, it leads to chaos, like the fall of a government after 18 months, due to losing sight of the broader framework and the people’s overall interests,” he said.

Amirudin also reiterated his stance on the ongoing speculation about his role as Selangor Menteri Besar, a topic raised by external parties since 2020.

“There had been many predictions claiming I wouldn’t remain as Menteri Besar past 2020. When the Sheraton Move happened, people said, ‘You’re finished, Amir, you’ll be dropped.’ Then again in 2021, they said the same. Even during the state elections, people said I’d be out and had packed my bags. Alhamdulillah, I remained humble and grateful for the trust given to me by party members. Trusting fortune-tellers can lead to shirk (sin),” he added.

Amirudin also shared that his recent meeting with the Prime Minister at the official Selangor Menteri Besar residence on Sunday had solely been about preparations for the upcoming Sabah and Sarawak state elections.