Tengku Zafrul groomed as next Selangor MB or even as PMX’s successor???

Idolise or loathe Tengku Zafrul, he could be groomed as next Selangor MB or even as PMX’s successor!

IN THE hit streaming series – “Succession” – issues surrounding the changing of the guard is full of intrigue, conjecture and no small amount of suspense.


Similarly, who takes over from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as head of the Pakatan Harapan coalition and potentially as Prime Minister is a fully loaded query.

It was reported by business Malay language news portal Ekonomi Rakyat (@EkonomiRakyatMY) that Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz had no intention of returning to the corporate sector when his tenure as Senator expires on Dec 2.

Towards this end, the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister has stated his desire to remain in the political arena.

Menteri MITI, Tengku Zafrul Aziz berkata beliau tidak berniat untuk kembali ke dunia korporat setelah penggalnya tamat sebagai Senator

Sebaliknya, beliau berhasrat untuk terus kekal di dalam arena politik pic.twitter.com/OTh7YYZYlc

— Ekonomi Rakyat (@EkonomiRakyatMY) August 19, 2025

The post has already generated 390.9K views at time of writing with quite a few commenters keen to share their thoughts on the former investment banker’s career choice.

For starters, one commenter made the pointed observation that the former UMNO Supreme Council member had a history of party hopping with his recent antic of ‘jumping ship’ to Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-helmed PKR displaying an obvious turncoat tendency.

Observing that this would make him unwelcome in any political party, it was also claimed that the former Bukit Raja UMNO Division chief only toiled for his own benefit – not for the rakyat.

A few other commenters made the snide observation that in Malaysia, the political arena was far more fruitful than the corporate sector.

One commenter questioned just how this scion of the banking world could be a successful politician when he does not have grassroots support. How is he able to look out for the rakyat to begin with?

Political observer Tygrysku (@ashkravat) went as far as to claim that the technocrat-turned-politician was being groomed to be the next PM.

Let me call it la, he is being groomed as the next PM. https://t.co/o4kG1k2sS5

— Tygrysku (@ashkravat) August 19, 2025

A few commenters surmised that the former financial wizard could possibly be made Selangor’s Menteri Besar to succeed Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari for he possesses “some of the late Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s vibe of a technocrat leading the largest state in Malaysia”.

Other commenters were circumspect about his chances given he has never won at the polls. The lack of grassroot support was again pointed out as a major hurdle to reaching the PM’s office.

One commenter seemed to think the current Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president did have the requisite tools for the job though he has thus far “hasn’t overused nor flaunt his connections”.

Another supposedly ‘no holds barred’ political observer, Free Malaysian (@FreeMsian) made his stance ultra-clear. He declared that citizens need to ensure this “kayangan” (slang for member of upper crust society) never gets elected.

The people should make sure this kayangan is never elected. https://t.co/1q7CBHHJeN

— FreeMalaysian (@FreeMsian) August 19, 2025

Again, lack of an electoral mandate was highlighted as a major obstacle towards a successful political career for Tengku Zafrul who gave up his CIMB group CEO post to assume the role of Finance Minister on March 9, 2020 under the so-called backdoor government of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

However, one commenter did argue that the Petaling Jaya-native was a better choice than the current crop of ministers from PKR ranks, explicitly citing the Education as well as Communications Ministers as prime examples.

Politics is an intriguing drama and like any good TV series, its main actors will always be at the forefront of kopitiam debates and online chatter.

Whether Tengku Zafrul is poised to be a leading man remains to be the seen. – Aug 25, 2025


Main image credit: Tengku Zafrul/Facebook