00:01Recent remarks by UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the party is not losing sleep over Tengku Zafrul Aziz's departure
00:09signal UMNO's readiness to move on from the former Supreme Council member, according to a political analyst.
00:16Awang Azman-Pawi of University Malaya said Zahid's stance suggested that UMNO,
00:21having rather numerous political challenges, would not be shaken by the departure of any individual,
00:26even one as high-profile as the investment, trade and industry minister.
00:31He said UMNO is making it clear that it no longer wants to be seen as dependent on technocrats or parachute candidates
00:38who lack strong grassroots support, such as Tengku Zafrul in Kuala Selangor and later Kota Raja.
00:45He said it also shows that UMNO is working to rebuild a grassroots-oriented identity rather than one rooted in political elites.
00:53On June 2nd, Zahid said the party was not losing sleep over Tengku Zafrul's decision to quit and his intention to join PKR,
01:02adding that it was better he left if he couldn't remain loyal.
01:05However, Awang Azman said Zahid's statement might not fully appease party leaders or grassroots members,
01:12as some still viewed Tengku Zafrul as a political opportunist who rode on the party's goodwill without earning it through merit or sacrifice.
01:19Narutha Raja, FMT.
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