Akmal: Umno Youth ready act as 'bridge' to revive Muafakat Nasional

 

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said past divisions between Umno and Pas had weakened Malay unity. - BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth is prepared to serve as a bridge to revive Muafakat Nasional (MN) and reunite Umno and Pas.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said past divisions between the two parties had weakened Malay unity.

"When Umno and Pas were divided, Malay unity almost did not happen. That division created unease at the grassroots level.

"That is why I say that Malay unity must be carried out by the two largest Malay-based parties," he told reporters after the Umno Youth Special Convention here today.

He said calls for Umno to withdraw from the unity government should not be interpreted as an attempt to topple the administration through tebuk atap or backdoor manoeuvres.

"We take the position that leaving the government does not mean we want to engage in backdoor manoeuvres. I want to make it clear that we do not intend to topple the government. Why? Because Umno's priority is the stability of the nation," he said.

Akmal said Umno had previously agreed to join the unity government because neither Perikatan Nasional nor Pakatan Harapan was able to form a government on its own at the time.

However, he said the current administration now commands a sufficient parliamentary majority and would remain in power even without Umno's 26 seats.

"Therefore, there is no need for any backdoor attempts. Even if Umno were to withdraw, it does not mean we are trying to topple the government. Umno does not support forming or changing a government through defections," he added.

Akmal said any change in government must take place only through general elections to respect the people's mandate.

He said the proposal to withdraw from the unity government would allow the party to assume the role of a constructive opposition and strengthen its grassroots support ahead of the 16th General Election. - NST