In a Facebook post, Tengku Zafrul said he has submitted his resignation today as an Umno member, as well as from all party posts.

His decision confirms rumours in February that he would leave Umno and join PKR before his term as a senator expires at the year end.

Tengku Zafrul said he had conveyed his intention to join PKR to party president Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. Tengku Zafrul serves in Anwar’s Cabinet as the investment, trade and industry minister.

He added that he would go through the usual procedure to apply to be a PKR member.

Tengku Zafrul said his decision to quit Umno was not an easy one and he had sought the advice and views of friends inside and outside the party, including Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“I have taken quite a long time thinking about this, especially because I have been an Umno member since 1997. In the end, ultimately, this decision was made after some self-reflection and considering various factors, especially compatibility and suitability,” he said.

Tengku Zafrul was previously an Umno Supreme Council member and also headed the Kota Raja Umno division.

He had contested the Kuala Selangor seat during the 2022 general election but lost to Amanah’s Dzulkefly Ahmad by 1,002 votes in a four-cornered contest.

In December last year, there were rumours that he was planning to join PKR in an apparent bid to become the next Selangor menteri besar. He later denied being in talks over state-level positions.

But speculation was further fuelled after Anwar confirmed that talks were under way for Tengku Zafrul to join the party.