Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has reiterated his advice for the party's youth wing's chief, Dr Akmal Saleh, to be more open to dissenting opinions.
This came after Malaysiakini reported earlier today that Akmal had allegedly expressed intentions to resign from his party position and as Merlimau assemblyperson.
Asyraf (above), however, affirmed that Umno has yet to receive an official notice of Akmal's resignation, noting that such matters will only be deemed valid if there is due documentation.
"As the party secretary-general, I only recognise official letters. We do not rely on social media or hearsay.
"I am aware Malaysiakini reported claims that there was an internal WhatsApp message suggesting (Akmal) had resigned, but officially, I only act based on formal letters," Asyraf told a press conference at Umno's headquarters in Menara Dato Onn today.
‘Big brother’ urges Akmal to stay on
Speaking in a personal capacity as a "big brother," Asyraf further advised Akmal, whom the Mara chairperson said he had contributed to putting in his Umno Youth chief position, not to give up.
"Differences of opinion are normal. I myself was once Umno Youth chief (and) I experienced my views not being accepted by the supreme council before, (but) that does not mean we should resign or lose spirit. That is normal in organisational life.
"Sometimes our views are accepted, sometimes they are not - the most important principle in Umno is that we are guided by syura," Asyraf added.
He highlighted that standing by the party's struggles and having a big heart should be made a priority, alongside looking at the Malay nationalist party's "bigger agenda".
Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded Umno Youth leaders to accept criticism without “taking shortcuts” in avoiding accountability.
The deputy prime minister's statement appeared to be in response to Akmal’s cryptic message about wanting to “step down” after Zahid rejected the former’s call for Umno to quit the government.
After Zahid's reported remarks, Asyraf had taken to Facebook to urge party members to be prepared to receive criticism while also dishing it out, in a move hinting at heightened tensions between him and Akmal. - Mkini
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