Umno vs Umno: Zafrul blocked by Zahid's Pol-Sec?

SHAH ALAM - Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin commented on the possibility of International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz becoming the Selangor Menteri Besar, stating that it would result in an internal Umno conflict.

Speaking during the Keluar Sekejap podcast session with his co-host Shahril Hamdan recently, Khairy said that Umno Supreme Council member and political secretary to Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Umno President), Dauk Megat Zulkarnain, aspired to become the Selangor Deputy Menteri Besar. However, Khairy believed that this would not be possible if Zafrul took up the position.

"Megat knows he cannot be the Selangor Menteri Besar because it has to be from Pakatan Harapan (PH), unless Zafrul wins.

"If Umno wins one or two seats, Zafrul can become MB.

"Megat is concerned because if Zafrul becomes MB, Megat will not be the deputy MB as it would come from PH.

"The MB position can have a deputy MB or not, and currently, Selangor does not have one, which is not a problem," Khairy said.

Khairy expressed that if he were Megat, he would block Zafrul, even though it would present an opportunity for Umno to hold the MB position. He described the situation as 'Umno versus Umno', with Megat, Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz, and Mutalif Abdul Rahim being the central Umno figures in Selangor.

Khairy also pointed out that if Zafrul were to rise, Megat would become the relationship chairman.

In a related matter, former Umno information chief Shahril said that Zafrul did not have the ambition to become MB.

"He never showed his ambition to be MB, and I have observed that many people fear the shadows first.

"In that fear, efforts must be made to surprise people by placing Zafrul in the most challenging position for him to win.

"It is like placing him in where people can't say they blocked him but ensuring he is placed where he cannot win, which we know is also a modus operandi," Shahril said.

Khairy further commented that Zafrul understands the situation and would strategically retreat by remaining as a Senator if he is placed in a position where he would likely lose.