From Najib’s pardon to his daughter’s appt to MATRADE board: Is Tengku Zafrul playing both sides?

Focus Malaysia:

From Najib’s pardon to his daughter’s appt to MATRADE board: Is Tengku Zafrul playing both sides?

By Jonathan Liew

FEW from the corporate realm have navigated the political waters with the quiet cunning of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz who is currently the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister (MITI).

Once a star of the corporate world, ex-banker Zafrul entered politics unencumbered by the usual baggage that weighs down Malaysia’s political elite.

But after losing in the last general election in Kuala Selangor – and now facing the imminent expiry of his senatorship and with it his MITI ministership next year – Zafrul’s political path seems increasingly reliant on alliances that may come with strings attached.

And this is where now incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak comes in. His daughter Nooryana Najwa Najib was recently appointed to the board of MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation), an agency that comes under MITI.

Nooryana Najwa Najib (Image credit: yananajib/Instagram)

It is inconceivable for Zafrul as minister not to have a hand in the decision. But why did Zafrul risk becoming a lightning rod when there are less controversial figures (who are probably more qualified) for him to choose from?

After all, Zafrul has cultivated the image of a progressive, business-savvy technocrat. Promoting the daughter of a disgraced former PM currently behind bars for corruption is poor optics.

But Zafrul seems to know where the winds blow. His involvement in the Najib saga stretches back further. The Pardons Board drama earlier this year – where Zafrul’s name cropped up in connection with an affidavit about Najib’s possible house arrest – was an intriguing little episode.

He was named in an affidavit by his UMNO party boss and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as affirming the existence of an addendum purportedly ordering Najib to be placed under house arrest.

True or not, the episode revealed just how deeply Zafrul is entangled in the murky world of backroom politics.

That Zafrul has ambitions beyond the expiry of his senatorship next year is not in question. But the truth is, he lacks the grassroots political support that is essential for long-term survival.

Losing his parliamentary race in the 15th General Election (GE15) was a stark reminder that while he may be a favourite of the corporate elite, UMNO cadres who are more accustomed to patronage and political shenanigans aren’t necessarily sold on his political brand.

This is where Zafrul may see a potential lifeline in the form of Najib. Despite the latter’s tarnished reputation, Najib remains a powerful figure in certain segments of UMNO, particularly among the party’s old guard and his sizeable fan base.

Could Zafrul be banking on this faction to help propel his political career? Without a solid UMNO base or grassroots appeal, the Razak family’s influence could be the missing piece he needs to secure his future.

However, the risks are high. By aligning himself too closely with Najib and his circle, Zafrul risks alienating the more reformist factions within the government and the public.

His previous attempts to position himself as a technocrat with clean hands may now be overshadowed by his willingness to cozy up to Najib’s camp.

The photogenic Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz

And while Zafrul might argue that Nooryana’s appointment is purely merit-based, it’s hard to ignore the optics of the situation.

The question now is whether this balancing act will pay off. Can Zafrul straddle the fine line between reformer and UMNO loyalist without losing credibility on either side?

Or is he betting on a resurgent Bossku to catapult him into the upper echelons of UMNO leadership regardless of the baggage that comes with it?

Perhaps Zafrul is merely hedging his bets. The real question is whether the gamble pay off or will it cost him the very credibility that made him an appealing figure in the first place?

Perhaps Zafrul should learn from ex-British PM Margaret Thatcher about making a stand: “Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.” – Oct 16, 2024