Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh did not mince his words in urging the party to leave the unity government and assume the role of the opposition to rebuild its strength.
Speaking at the Umno Youth special convention on the party’s direction in the unity government in Kuala Lumpur today, he told party members and leaders not to fear being in the opposition.
He said this was especially so as Umno’s “red lines” had been crossed by certain parties in the unity government, particularly DAP.
“When the principles of cooperation begin to be violated, and our dignity is not respected, then that is enough for Umno (to leave the government). Let them run this government - we become the opposition.
“Hey, Umno members are not cowards… my brothers, don’t be afraid to be the opposition. Let us take one step back so we can leap higher going forward,” he said.
Akmal also claimed that the call to leave the unity government was coming from Umno’s grassroots.
“God willing, in two years we will seize back the government,” he added.
Malaysiakini understands today’s convention was part of the process towards deciding Umno’s direction in the government, which is set to be made at the party’s annual general assembly later this month.
Malay unity
In his speech, Akmal stressed that Malay unity must begin with Umno and PAS as the two largest Malay-based parties.
“The unity of the Malays must be initiated by the largest Malay parties. Umno and PAS must be the pioneers.
“If Umno and PAS unite, I believe the Malays will once again be brought together,” he said.
The Merlimau assemblyperson added that as the majority community in the country, the Malays would amount to nothing more than numbers if they remained divided.
“When the two Malay parties are split, it is not the elite who lose out - it is those of us at the grassroots,” he said.
On Dec 25, Akmal proposed that Perikatan Nasional be dissolved following the latest turmoil within the coalition, particularly over the Perlis menteri besar post.
In a previous Facebook post, Akmal said that even before the 15th general election (GE15), Umno urged PAS to strengthen Muafakat Nasional rather than PN.
“Today, everyone’s true colours are finally showing - getting stabbed in the back,” he said, referring to eight PN assemblypersons who had withdrawn support for the then-Perlis menteri besar, PAS’ Shukri Ramli, who was later replaced by Abu Bakar Hamzah from Bersatu.
“Since we’re at it, let’s just dissolve PN altogether and revive Muafakat Nasional. How about that?” he added.
The proposal was welcomed by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who set a condition that Umno must first leave Pakatan Harapan.
“I fully agree with the proposal to revive MN. This is the key to the strength and resurgence of Muslim unity. Congratulations to the Umno Youth chief. Revive the negotiations, set up a negotiating committee.
“As soon as Umno/BN declares its exit from the coalition with Harapan, we immediately launch MN,” Fadhli said.
MN was formed by Umno and PAS in 2019, marking a breakthrough in consolidating Malay political power after decades of rivalry between the two parties.
However, after the fall of the then-Harapan federal government and the appointment of Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister in 2020, PAS chose to work with Bersatu and form PN - a move Umno viewed as a betrayal.
PAS had pushed for Bersatu to be included in MN, but Umno opposed this.
The MN pact ended in December 2022 when Umno backed PKR president Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister after GE15.
PAS leaders have repeatedly floated the idea of reviving MN, although PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has said it cannot involve Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.