Tengku Zafrul Risks Losing Technocrat Image Amid Political Moves

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Tengku Zafrul Aziz was appointed to Muhyiddin Yassin’s Cabinet in March 2020, and retained his position as minister in Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s and Anwar Ibrahim’s administrations.
PETALING JAYA: Once seen as a technocrat who could bring fresh expertise into government, Tengku Zafrul Aziz is now facing scrutiny for political manoeuvres which, analysts say, risk overshadowing his initial reputation.
Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Tengku Zafrul is increasingly being perceived as a politician after the latter confirmed over the weekend that he was in ongoing discussions to join PKR.
“He contested the Kuala Selangor seat in the last general election and lost. With his senatorship tenure soon coming to an end, it only deepens the perception that he is prioritising political survival over being a technocrat,” he told FMT.
Tengku Zafrul, the investment, trade and industry minister in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet, must tender his resignation from office when his senatorship ends in December next year. He is also an Umno Supreme Council member.
The former CIMB Group CEO first gained national prominence after his appointment as finance minister in Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration in March 2020, a role he retained in Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Cabinet.
“People see him as continuing the policies of previous prime ministers rather than carving out his own legacy,” said Awang Azman.
Lessons from Tengku Razaleigh
Despite a lack of political experience, Tengku Zafrul was looked upon as a technocrat capable of stabilising the national economy when first appointed finance minister during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Awang Azman said Tengku Zafrul could learn from Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a senior Umno leader respected for blending technocratic expertise with grassroot appeal.
“Razaleigh is respected for his wisdom, and during his younger days, had the ability to connect with the people. Despite his royal lineage, he broke barriers and kept his connection with the rakyat through engagements,” he said.
Lau Zhe Wei of International Islamic University Malaysia said Tengku Zafrul’s decision to join PKR will see a shift in public perception.
He said the public will now see him more as a politician, drawing parallels with Maszlee Malik, who was initially perceived as an academic due to his background as a lecturer.
“After becoming active in politics and moving from Bersatu to PKR, he (Mazlee) was no longer seen as an academic but as a politician,” Lau told FMT.
Lau said that although Tengku Zafrul’s credibility has not been tainted by scandals, any move on his part to jump ship to PKR could overshadow his accomplishments and alter how he is viewed.
Zafrul’s party identity irrelevant
Another analyst, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, said Tengku Zafrul’s party affiliation was irrelevant.
“What matters is his ability to serve the national agenda, and he has proven capable of doing so. He is a useful combination of all three (recent) prime ministers,” he told FMT.
Shamsul argued that Tengku Zafrul’s technocratic credentials remain his core strength, with his business acumen and ability to manage high level networks making him a valuable advisor.
During his tenure, Tengku Zafrul spearheaded Malaysia’s Covid-19 economic stimulus packages, including the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) and the National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana). - FMT

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