Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said said while the party respects a person’s right to make political choices, Cabinet appointments are based on the party represented instead of one’s individual capacity.

Azalina, who is also law and institutional reform minister, said while the prime minister chairs the national unity council, Cabinet ministers are appointed as the party’s representatives.

“An individual’s political stance may change, but the party’s commitment to religion, race and country must remain steadfast,” she said in a statement today.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said there had been no official discussions on Tengku Zafrul’s application to join PKR.

He said Tengku Zafrul’s position as investment, trade and industry minister would not be affected.

“We have not discussed anything yet. Let him fulfil his haj first. We don’t need unhealthy speculation,” he said.

On Friday, Tengku Zafrul said he had submitted his resignation as an Umno member, as well as from all party posts.

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

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.