“That has always been my principle. We draw a clear line that political matters must be set aside when it comes to handling organisational matters, esspecially where national governance is concerned,” he told reporters after launching the Women in Export Forum 2025.

The Umno president further quipped that the only thing missing was “a public display of affection”, hinting that relations between the two remained cordial.

Tengku Zafrul, who is the investment, trade and industry minister, resigned from Umno on May 30 and announced his intention to join PKR.

Earlier in his speech, Zahid outlined several proposals aimed at strengthening the role of women entrepreneurs and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.

Among them was the creation of a “Women Export Incubator”, a one-stop centre designed to support women entrepreneurs looking to break into international markets.

He said the incubator should offer export mentorship, international certification training, co-working spaces, and digital business clinics, with a particular focus on women from rural communities and the B40 income group.

Zahid also suggested aligning the Global Women Empowerment Fund as a dedicated export financing scheme tailored for high-potential women entrepreneurs who face limited access to capital.

“I’m confident that Tengku Zafrul can take these proposals forward at the ministerial level, as they are grounded in strong fundamentals,” he added.