It’s confirmed rightist Akmal’s call to pull UMNO out of Madani gov’t is “out of line” with mothership

 

THIS runs parallel with what critics of fiery UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh have been expecting thus far – that he has been calling his shots at will, on his very own discretion without the consent of the party’s top echelon.

Obviously, it can be assumed that the key UMNO leadership has been swallowing its pride by giving the self-proclaimed staunch defender of race and religion the benefit of doubt given he is able to drive grassroots support – even with some ill-conceived actions that threatens to rock unity in the Madani boat.

Well, until the limit has been breached by blowing his top on a sticky issue as the freedom of a deemed “klepto king”, the world’s biggest plunderer Datuk Seri Najib Razak particularly in light of his latest Boxing Day KO (knockout) whereby the preceding UMNO president was floored by a further 15-year imprisonment and landmark RM11,38 bil fine.

Political immaturity or a sheer oversight, the Merlimau state assemblyman’s rebellious antic to pull UMNO out of the Madani set-up runs afoul of the fact that his party’s reigning president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid might secretly be wanting Bossku to be out of sight (for good, perhaps) for his own political survival.

Beyond that, he is emboldened to his mentor and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim not for his deputy premiership per se but for his DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal) from 47 prima facie charges encompassing criminal breach of trust (CBT), graft and money laundering.

Hence, it is little wonder that the 37-year-old Russia-trained medical doctor’s short of commonsense by ‘blindly’ vouching for Bossku’s innocence – the latest to stage a special UMNO Youth convention this Saturday (Jan 3) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur – has been ‘politely’ ticked off.

This follows a sisterly advice from Wanita UMNO’s EXCO member Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid who cautioned that the party’s direction is not determined by one wing, let alone through public pressure which can be interpreted as internal political intimidation.

“Secondly, when the issue of the party’s direction is brought directly into the public sphere with an ultimatum tone, it opens up the perception that UMNO is being divided from within,” one can imagine Zahid speaking through his daughter in a Facebook post.

“This not only weakens the president and the top leadership but also gives free ammunition to opponents and political observers. Young leaders need to understand one important thing; the courage to speak out must be accompanied by the wisdom to protect the party’s honour.”

And here’s the sting which one wonders if Akmal’s expanded ego can accept:

Thirdly, while mooting of the convention is appropriate, the message that accompanies it greatly determines the effect. If the real purpose is to strengthen UMNO, discuss the direction with constructive language, not in an insulting and oppressive language.

Discuss with arguments, not emotions. With manners, not popularity. UMNO doesn’t belong to one generation, not to one wing and not to the most vocal individual.

UMNO is a trust of a long struggle which requires patience, wisdom and loyalty to the structure, even if we don’t agree with all the decisions.

Well, while Nurulhidayah has been courteous in advising her “younger brothers with Hang Jebat blood running through their veins”, Madani backers are simply more direct and blunt: “Just leave (UMNO) if you ain’t happy. We’re all waiting!” 

- Focus Malaysia