Rethink alliances if unity govt partners accept Umno members, says Akmal

 

Dr Akmal Saleh’s remarks come after his party boss, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said partners in the unity government should not accept each other’s members. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Umno should reassess its alliances with parties in the unity government which accept its members, says Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh.

Akmal claimed such incidents have happened before when Umno and Barisan Nasional were part of the Perikatan Nasional government.

“We must stand firm if this happens again. Umno is not a party that can be pushed around. We have dignity,” he said in a Facebook post late last night.

The Merlimau assemblyman’s remarks come after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged the party’s allies in the unity government to refrain from accepting members from coalition partners.

Zahid, who is also the BN chairman, said yesterday the coalition’s partners must respect BN just as it respects them.

“We should maintain unity among us. I respect the other coalition partners, but the other parties, please respect BN, please respect Umno,” he said.

Zahid also called on Umno members to remain steadfast and not be swayed by offers driven by personal interest.

Speculation has been rife that Umno Supreme Council member Tengku Zafrul Aziz is planning to leave the party to join PKR in an apparent bid to become the next Selangor menteri besar.

Zahid clarified that Tengku Zafrul has not informed him of any plans to leave Umno, while PKR denied receiving a formal application from him.

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari also said he will remain until the end of his term.

Tengku Zafrul is expected to address the matter this afternoon. - FMT