Tensions within UMNO have escalated following the exit of Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, prompting party leaders to consider enforcing a financial penalty for his defection. Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi, a member of UMNO’s Supreme Council and Johor State Assembly Speaker, has urged the party to take a firm stance by activating the RM100 million clause tied to loyalty agreements signed during the last general election.
The clause, intended to deter defections and maintain unity, had been signed by Barisan Nasional candidates ahead of the 15th General Election. Although Zafrul did not secure a parliamentary seat, his later Cabinet appointment and current efforts to align with PKR have sparked internal debate.
Puad revealed his intention to raise this matter during the next UMNO Supreme Council meeting, stressing that any move by Zafrul to cross over should not go unchallenged. In his view, failing to act decisively would create a perception of weakness, which could encourage further party instability and embolden future defections.
He also warned that such developments could damage public confidence in both UMNO's leadership and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who heads the coalition Unity Government. Puad raised concerns over whether Zafrul’s defection had been planned in coordination with PKR, noting that such shifts typically do not occur without prior understanding between the involved parties.
He criticized any passive response to the situation, asserting that PKR must take responsibility if it accepts a prominent figure from UMNO without proper consultation. Puad argued that such actions go against the collaborative spirit on which the Unity Government was formed and could lead to deeper internal conflicts within the coalition.
Zafrul, who had been affiliated with UMNO since 1997, recently confirmed he had stepped down from his position in the party’s Kota Raja Division, officially ending his long-standing association. His announcement followed earlier disclosures in December 2024, where he acknowledged being in early discussions with PKR, though no formal decision had been made at that point.
With pressure mounting for a decisive response, UMNO now faces increasing scrutiny over how it will handle high-profile defections. Puad’s demand for financial accountability reflects broader concerns about political loyalty and the fragility of coalition cooperation moving forward.
Information Source: The Vibes
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