FINANCE Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s presence in Kuala Selangor amid talk that he is eyeing the seat has made certain local Umno leaders unhappy.

Zafrul and his team have launched a publicity campaign in the area with activities promoting the senator without going through the local Umno leadership, which is “disruptive” to the grassroots machinery there, said Umno division chief Jahaya Ibrahim.

He told The Malaysian Insight that Tengku Zafrul was taking advantage of Umno’s restored popularity to stake a claim to the seat.

“We have been working hard since 2018 and now he wants to come here after we’ve done all the work,” said Jahaya.

“He tried to come here but the Kuala Selangor Umno division rejected him. But despite our rejection, he persists in encroaching on our territory.”

Jahaya said this is upsetting the local machinery which is preparing for the general election, which expected to be called soon.

Although Tengku Zafrul has not commented on the issue, the senator is rumoured to be interested in contesting in GE15. Media have speculated on a few seats, including Kuala Selangor where he has been holding programmes recently.

Umno higher-ups have not commented on the possibility of Tengku Zafrul becoming a party candidate.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan confirmed that the former banker is a long-time Umno member, a fact that is not widely known. Zafrul was appointed finance minister by Bersatu’s Muhyiddin Yassin is seen as a Muhyiddin ally. He kept his portfolio under the Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration.

According to Jahaya, Selangor Umno leaders have been informed about Tengku Zafrul’s presence.

“I have told Selangor chief Noh Omar that I’m against his intrusion.”

Jahaya said he has also sent letters to all the Umno branches in Kuala Selangor not to take part in Tengku Zafrul’s events.

“I will raise the matter to the Umno disciplinary board if Tengku Zafrul continues to intrude into our area,” he added.

However, while Jahaya is clearly against Tengku Zafrul’s “interest” in the Kuala Selangor seat, Noh has dismissed the “intrusion”.

In a statement on May 18, Noh said that it was acceptable for Tengku Zafrul to be seen in Kuala Selangor as the state needed “minister-level” leaders in the state ahead of GE15.

The division’s Umno Youth deputy chief Amin Shukor also questioned Tengku Zafrul’s motives.

“I am not questioning his qualifications. But why is he only showing up in Kuala Selangor when Umno has 22 divisions in the state.

“If he is genuine about helping Selangor, he should go to all the divisions and not just Kuala Selangor. Would he be here if Umno is weak?” said Amin.

Currently the Kuala Selangor seat is held by former health minister and Amanah leader Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Amanah strategist first won the Kuala Selangor seat in 2008 under PAS before losing it to Barisan Nasional in 2013. In 2018, Dzulkefly won the seat again after defeating Umno’s Irmohizam Ibrahim and PAS’ Mohd Fakaruddin Ismail by 8,498 votes. – June 7, 2022.