IPOH: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has advised Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to remain loyal to the party.
Saarani, who is also the Perak menteri besar, said the practice of politicians switching parties within the unity government must not be tolerated, as it could lead to suspicion and erode trust between the component parties.
"In the long term, (this culture of politicians switching parties) it is detrimental to any coalition.
"I am not just referring to Tengku Zafrul, but to anyone. That is why I agree with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's statement, which stressed the need to prevent members within the same coalition from leaving one party and joining another.
"In this case (Tengku Zafrul's issue), we are talking about someone from Umno wanting to join PKR. There is also the possibility that, in the future, someone from PKR might want to join Umno.
"To party members, let's remain loyal to your party," he said. Saarani said this when met by reporters after the Cooperative Movement of Perak appreciation ceremony today.
Saarani added that if politicians are allowed to switch parties, it would send the wrong message to the younger generation.
Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul, who is also Umno Supreme Council member and the Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister, admitted to having discussions with PKR but had not yet made a decision regarding his potential membership in the party.
In a post on his Facebook page, he refuted claims suggesting he was eyeing certain positions at the state level during his discussion with PKR.
Meanwhile, Zahid on Saturday confirmed that he has not received any notification from Tengku Zafrul regarding his purported move.
The deputy prime minister said parties within the unity government should refrain from poaching members from other parties within the alliance to maintain harmony.
Therefore, he advised all parties within the unity government to prioritise preserving unity and the alliance's interests over personal agendas.