KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 — Umno’s Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has been appointed a Kota Raja division committee member amid growing speculation that the party will field him as its candidate there for the Selangor state election due this year.
Kota Raja Umno chief Datuk Kamaruzzaman Johari confirmed the international trade and industry minister’s appointment as a division leader with news portal Malaysiakini yesterday, but declined to say if the latter is in the running for the state polls.
“I can confirm he is a member of Kota Raja Umno and has been appointed as a division committee member.
“However, I cannot comment if Tengku Zafrul will contest in one of the state seats. That is for the leadership to decide,” he was quoted as saying.
Tengku Zafrul is currently in his second-term as a senator, which will expire in 2025.
He was sworn in as a senator last month to fulfil Article 43(2)(b) of the Federal Constitution which requires ministers to either be a member of the Dewan Rakyat or the Dewan Negara.
The former banker had contested in the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in the GE15 last November but was defeated by Amanah’s Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Citing an unnamed source, Malaysiakini reported that Tengku Zafrul has been shortlisted as a possible candidate for one of the state constituencies under the greater Kota Raja parliamentary seat: Sungai Kandis or Kota Kemuning.
“Sungai Kandis has been traditionally contested by Umno.
“There must be discussions among the top leadership for Pakatan Harapan to step aside for Umno in the coming state election,” the unnamed source was quoted as saying.
