Tengku Zafrul, who joined PKR in August and became a member of its Ampang division, said there was no agreement with party president Anwar Ibrahim for him to contest in GE16, Utusan Malaysia reported.

He acknowledged receiving support from Ampang PKR to join the branch, but stressed that this does not guarantee him a candidacy.

“Before joining the party, I met with many people, including several state assemblymen and branch leaders. I also met many acquaintances from various branches.

“However, it must be emphasised that there is no agreement with the president that I will be given the chance to contest in GE16,” he was quoted as saying.

In February, political sources told FMT that Tengku Zafrul was expected to contest a Selangor seat at the next general election, with Ampang being his top choice, and Petaling Jaya and Pandan as other possibilities.

These rumours were later played down by Ampang PKR chief Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad, who said that such talk was expected in politics.

Prior to his resignation from Umno in May 2025, Tengku Zafrul was a member of the party’s Supreme Council and the Kota Raja branch. He had also resigned as Selangor Umno treasurer in April last year.

His second and final term as senator expires at the end of the year, after which he will have to relinquish his role in the Cabinet as well.