Ahmad acknowledged that the former banker was capable of contributing to an Umno win, but said the support of the Umno grassroots was crucial if he wanted to contest for a parliamentary seat.

“He has to work hard. I get reports that he wants to contest in Kuala Selangor. But do the people of Kuala Selangor and the division’s leadership accept that?

“If he wants to be a (candidate), he has to work hard. The final decision will be in the hands of the top leadership,” he was quoted as saying in a Utusan Malaysia report.

Previously, observers said the finance ministry’s “adoption” of the Kuala Selangor district and Tengku Zafrul’s frequent visits to the area were clear signs he would be contesting the parliamentary seat on an Umno ticket in GE15.

However, he has drawn flak from party colleagues, with the Kuala Selangor Umno division urging members to snub programmes involving Tengku Zafrul, and party vice-president Khaled Nordin telling him to focus on the economy instead.

But Tengku Zafrul found some support in Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunos, who proposed that the finance minister be nominated Barisan Nasional’s Selangor menteri besar candidate for GE15.