KUALA LUMPUR – The “Aku Janji” or pledge signed by Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the 15th general election (GE15) cannot be enforced as he did not win a parliamentary seat, said Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
“He did not win. He became a minister on the basis of being a senator. So I don’t see how the pledge can be enforced against him,” Mohamad said at a luncheon in Seremban today, Bernama reported.
Zafrul was appointed as investment, trade and industry minister after GE15 through a Senate appointment – not as an elected representative. Mohamad explained that the pledge, often signed by BN candidates, only applies to those who win and hold seats as MPs or state assemblymen.
“That is not included within the scope of the agreement because Tengku Zafrul did not win the election. That is a pledge made by an elected representative. If they win, the seat belongs to the party, not the individual,” he said.
Asked whether the departure would affect Umno, Mohamad said Zafrul did not hold a senior role and his exit would not significantly impact the party.
He was responding to calls from Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who urged the party to take stern action against Zafrul after his announcement to leave Umno and join PKR.
Puad also raised the possibility of claiming RM100 million in compensation from Zafrul for breaching the pledge.
Earlier, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Umno’s legal team would review whether Zafrul had breached the agreement he signed during GE15 after he confirmed that a letter of resignation was received.
Zafrul, who contested and lost the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in GE15, resigned yesterday as a Umno Supreme Council member, Kota Raja division chief, and party member.
He expressed his plans to join PKR but the party’s secretary-general, Fuziah Salleh, said PKR has yet to receive his official application. – May 31, 2025