Akmal Saleh: With ‘friends’ like these, Umno doesn’t need enemies

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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh today urged his party to reconsider its support for the national unity government over rumours that allied PKR would recruit one of its ministers.

Commenting on a news report alleging that Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz would jump parties, he said the same happened with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

“If there are ‘friends’ within the government who cannot respect Umno and BN by attempting to take members from their own ally party, then we must reconsider this relationship.

“Back during the PN government, there were also parties in the government busy trying to poach Umno members, and if this happens again, we must take a firm stance,” he said.

Dr Akmal said that failing to respond emphatically would undercut the perception of Umno as a party with dignity.

Earlier this week, a news portal published a speculative report suggesting that Tengku Zafrul would jump from Umno to PKR, which were both nominally allies in the national unity government.

Both PKR and Tengku Zafrul have not responded directly to the rumours.

Yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was forced to deny rumours that he would be stepping down from the role to make way for Tengku Zafrul.

Styled as a technocrat, Tengku Zafrul contested the Kuala Selangor seat in the 2022 general election, but lost to Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Despite this, the two became eventual Cabinet colleagues when Tengku Zafrul was made a senator and given his current portfolio.

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