DAP Youth has challenged Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to immediately resign as a Malacca state executive councillor if he truly stands by his principle of leaving the coalition government.
It said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s firm stance that the party will remain with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim-led Madani administration until the end of its term shows that Akmal’s recent threats to “exit the government” are merely political gimmicks.
“With that, the ‘exit government’ gimmick played by Akmal over the past few days has been proven to be an embarrassing piece of political comedy.
“If Akmal is truly principled, he can resign as an exco immediately without waiting any longer.
“If he continues to hold on to his position, then he should swallow back what he previously said and stop all actions and rhetoric that are only intended to undermine the government’s reform agenda and the people’s well-being,” DAP Youth added in a statement today.
Akmal, who is the Merlimau assemblyperson, is also the Malacca exco for rural development, agriculture and food security.
According to DAP Youth, Zahid’s statement that Umno “does not want to be bitten by the snake a second time” has completely closed the door to speculation over negotiations between Umno and PAS.
Umno committed to staying
Yesterday, Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said that Umno does not want to repeat past mistakes in forming any cooperation with the opposition.
He added that any decision would be examined thoroughly and cautiously.
Zahid also confirmed that Umno, together with BN, will continue to remain in the coalition government with Harapan until the end of the term.
Last Saturday, Akmal, during a special Umno Youth convention, urged the party to "not be afraid to be the opposition."
He also stressed that the gathering held ahead of the Umno general assembly had received Zahid's blessings.
In this regard, DAP Youth described Akmal’s interpretation that Zahid supposedly agreed with “Malay unity” cooperation as distorted and an attempt to mislead the public, besides being disrespectful to the party president’s own position.
PN’s divisive ways
Commenting on developments within Perikatan Nasional, DAP Youth said the opposition coalition has failed to offer constructive policies and instead continues to rely on racial and religious politics.
“On matters related to national policy, particularly the cost of living and institutional reforms, PAS merely objects without offering solutions.
“The increasingly evident internal conflicts within PN between Bersatu and PAS once again prove that politics not grounded in governance will eventually backfire.
“Our country needs political parties that guarantee stability and efficiency, not PN that divides,” DAP Youth said.
Referring to political experience between 2020 and 2022, DAP Youth said the previous Umno-PAS-Bersatu cooperation led to political instability and ultimately harmed Umno’s support and seats.
“Any attempt to repeat the same move would only betray the people’s mandate and jeopardise the party’s own future,” it added.
Walk the talk
DAP Youth stressed that the people’s priorities are economic recovery, reducing the cost of living, and continuing reforms, not power-struggle drama.
“Akmal must prove his stance. Resign immediately and leave the unity government. Don’t let your actions contradict your words,” the statement added.
In a social media post today, Akmal hinted at the possibility of “stepping down” after the Umno president rejected his call for the party to leave the Madani government.
He said he had “done his best and conveyed everything as well as possible, and perhaps it is time to step aside.” - Mkini
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