Kamil said PKR should be open to taking in professional figures like Tengku Zafrul; the decision would show that the party was continuing to expand its horizons as a mature party, reflecting its readiness to continue leading the nation.

“I believe that Tengku Zafrul joining PKR, which is understood to have been in discussion for more than a year, would allow us to attract support from various quarters as we build a more progressive, just and inclusive nation,” he said in a post on X.

“This is in line with PKR’s commitment to politics based on ideas, expertise and integrity. Tengku Zafrul’s experiences can offer some added value to PKR,” said Kamil, who is a political secretary to PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation as an Umno member yesterday and stated his intention to join PKR.

This ruffled some feathers within his former party, with Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki warning PKR against breeding disharmony between the government allies.

PKR central leadership council member Adam Adli was quoted by Malaysiakini as expressing concern that ties with Umno would become tense because of Tengku Zafrul’s decision.

However, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said the party will consider the input of its government allies as well as PKR’s own grassroots in evaluating membership applications, including that of Tengku Zafrul.