Tengku Zafrul quits as Selangor Umno treasurer
Tengku Zafrul Aziz says he shouldn’t hold a post if he cannot contribute to positive changes or improvements in the state chapter.
PETALING JAYA: Senator Tengku Zafrul Aziz has resigned as Selangor Umno’s treasurer.
In a Facebook post, Tengku Zafrul said his main goal after being appointed to the post just under a year ago was to contribute to Umno’s resurgence in Selangor, the state it used to lead.
“My approach and principle is simple: if I can’t contribute to positive changes or improvements, then I shouldn’t hold a post. In fact, it’s better that I vacate the post so that someone who can contribute more effectively can take over.
“Therefore, effective today, I am resigning as Selangor Umno treasurer,” said Tengku Zafrul, who is also investment, trade and industry minister.
The former finance minister, who was appointed the Selangor Umno treasurer last April, said he would continue to head the Kota Raja Umno branch and serve as a member of the Umno Supreme Council.
He also said the results of last year’s state election should serve as a clear indicator of the need for immediate change, adding that effective strategies should be formulated in line with current realities.
Barisan Nasional lynchpin Umno won just 19 of the 108 seats it contested in the last state election – less than 18%.
Tengku Zafrul said he had seen how Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the party’s national leadership had continuously charted a path for the party’s resurgence at the central level.
“A lot depends on the attitude and approach of Umno’s state leaders. Regardless of how good planning is at the central level, it is up to the state leaders and grassroots members to execute these plans,” said Tengku Zafrul.
“I cannot comment on other states, but for Selangor, the implementation of these plans has been lacklustre. At times, it was not in line with what Umno’s national leaders had in mind.”
Tengku Zafrul also said that cooperation with other parties should be strengthened, especially as strong inter-party relationships already exist at the federal level among the unity government’s partners.
Adding that Selangor was an “extremely important state” for any political party to have a foothold in, Tengku Zafrul said it would be difficult for a party to make its mark on federal-level politics unless it had a strong presence in Selangor.
Hailing the state for its economic performance, Tengku Zafrul also highlighted how Selangor’s Malay Bumiputera base, diverse demographics, and urban-rural balance reflected the broader dynamics of Malaysia.
