UMNO Youth Chiefs: A legacy of theatrics and strategy, says political activist

 

POLITICAL activist Lyana Marzuki has highlighted the recurring pattern of dramatics and strategic undertones in the actions of UMNO Youth Chiefs throughout history.

Comparing the roles of past and present Youth Chiefs, she noted how their aggressive personas and controversial antics often play into larger political strategies.

“Once someone puts on the shoes of an UMNO Youth Chief, they seem to transform—suddenly becoming irrational and racist in their rhetoric,” said Lyana.

She pointed to instances like Najib Razak’s fiery speeches during Ops Lalang in 1987.

“This incited a rally by UMNO Youth at the time. This led to 106 people (including women) being detained under the ISA and sent to Kamunting, with opposition leaders imprisoned without trial,” she noted.

Referring to Hishammuddin Hussein, she mentions the infamous keris-wielding gesture, both of which stirred public controversy and were tied to UMNO’s political maneuvers.

According to Lyana, these Youth Chiefs rarely operate independently.

“There are always hidden hands from senior leaders, directing these youth movements to execute psyops or underground agendas,” she added.

While she acknowledged UMNO’s youth wing as the most organised and effective compared to other parties, Lyana criticised the lack of intellectual contributions from other youth wings.

“PAS Youth’s approach feels immature, relying on trolling rather than building the ummah’s intellect. As for AMK and Amanah Youth, their efforts don’t seem impactful anymore,” she said.

Despite her critiques, Lyana encouraged Malaysians to view politics with a critical eye.

“It’s like watching wrestling—there’s a lot of theatrics. We shouldn’t blindly idolize anyone,” she said. —Focus Malaysia

Timb menteri kecam upacara MIC doakan Najib di kuil Batu Caves

 

Perancangan MIC untuk mengadakan perhimpunan sokongan terhadap Najib Razak di kuil Hindu Batu Caves mendapat kecaman daripada Timbalan Menteri Perpaduan Negara, K Saraswathy.

Dia yang juga naib presiden PKR menggesa parti politik supaya menjauhkan aktiviti bermotif politik daripada tempat ibadat.

"Saya mengecam sekeras-kerasnya aktiviti bermotif politik yang dijalankan di kawasan kuil kerana ruang ibadat seharusnya tertumpu pada aktiviti spiritual, sosial dan komuniti tanpa dipengaruhi oleh agenda politik.

"Tempat ibadat mesti kekal sebagai ruang suci untuk berdoa, merenung, dan meningkatkan spiritual, bebas daripada pengaruh politik.

Timbalan Menteri Perpaduan Negara, K Saraswathy.

"Pemimpin komuniti dan jawatankuasa pengurusan kuil yang memantau tempat ibadat di negara ini perlu bertindak lebih bertanggungjawab dan menegakkan standard etika bagi mengelakkan campur tangan politik.

"Membenarkan kawasan Kuil Batu Caves digunakan untuk perhimpunan bermotif politik merupakan kegagalan pihak pengurusan dalam menjaga kesucian dan neutraliti tempat ibadat, kerana aktiviti sebegini juga boleh mencetuskan duluan yang berbahaya," katanya.

Saraswathy, yang juga anggota Dewan Negara mengulas pengumuman Timbalan Presiden MIC M Saravanan untuk mengadakan upacara doa khas buat Najib di Kuil Murugan Batu Caves pada pukul 11 pagi esok.

Parti komponen BN itu pada awalnya merancang untuk menyertai perhimpunan di luar Istana Kehakiman bagi menyokong bekas perdana menteri yang kini dipenjarakan atas kesalahan rasuah.

Namun, perhimpunan itu dibatalkan selepas Istana Negara mengeluarkan kenyataan berhubung hak prerogatif Yang di-Pertuan Agong memberi pengampunan dan amaran daripada ketua polis negara supaya tidak menghadiri perhimpunan tersebut.

Saraswathy berkata membiarkan tempat ibadat digunakan untuk tujuan politik juga boleh "mengaburkan garis antara kepercayaan dan politik" serta mencetuskan perpecahan, bukannya memupuk keharmonian.

"Walaupun perhimpunan ini digambarkan sebagai hak demokratik MIC, persoalan yang lebih besar mengenai kewajaran menggunakan tempat ibadat untuk ekspresi politik.

"Keseimbangan antara menunjukkan sokongan dan mengekalkan kesucian amalan keagamaan mesti dipatuhi oleh pemimpin politik.

"Saya menyeru para pemimpin dan pihak pengurusan kuil, tanpa mengira kecenderungan politik mereka, memastikan ruang ibadat ini kekal suci dan neutral, menumpukan pada peningkatan spiritual dan sosial, serta memberikan teladan positif kepada masyarakat yang lebih luas," katanya.

[Baca berita asal] - Mkini

Upko says no one objected when Ewon named Sabah PH chief

 

Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang said no one contested the election results when Ewon Benedick unseated Christina Liew last month. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Upko has defended the election of its president as chairman of Sabah Pakatan Harapan, despite PKR disapproving of Ewon Benedick’s appointment last month.

Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang said no objection was raised during the Sabah PH election on Dec 1, nor were the results contested.

“However, we are open to discussing the matter at the PH presidential council. And we will explain what took place during the election. I believe any dissatisfaction can be reconciled sensibly,” he told FMT.

Ewon was elected Sabah PH chief by a margin of three votes on Dec 1, ousting Christina Liew of PKR from a post she had held since 2017.

Two weeks later, Liew said discussions were being held on her possible return as Sabah PH chairman, adding that talks were held with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and members of the state leadership council.

Sabah PH Youth leaders have called for coalition partners to respect the election results.

Sabah PKR leader contends that the state PH chairmanship should rightfully be held by the party, citing a formula that had been agreed on by coalition partners.

The PKR leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the post should have never been contested and the election was the first held since Sabah PH was formed in 2017.

Separately, Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud was reported as saying that Ewon’s appointment must still be endorsed by the presidential council. - FMT

Akmal goes jogging in Putrajaya ahead of rally

 

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh going on a jog outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, where supporters of Najib Razak plan to gather tomorrow. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh went jogging outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya this evening, on the eve of a planned rally in support of imprisoned former prime minister Najib Razak.

“Good evening Putrajaya,” he posted above a photograph of himself running beside a police barrier placed before the court building. Police have warned the public against attending the rally which they described as illegal as no permit had been issued.

Umno said yesterday that the party would not be taking part in the rally in deference to an Istana Negara statement on following established procedures on pardons, and a police warning against the rally.

But Akmal later said he would be attending the rally in his personal capacity in support of Najib, a former Umno president.

Akmal’s photo this evening, bearing a 5.51pm timestamp, was posted hours after a warning by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urging party members not to take part in the rally. He said Umno members who took part would do so at their own risk.

PAS has urged its members to turn up for the rally, while Bersatu, its partner in Perikatan Nasional, has said its members would be free to attend.

The rally will be held on the same day the Court of Appeal hears an application by Najib for a judicial review of his application to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. He claims the order for house arrest is contained in a purported addendum to the Feb 2 pardons board’s decision which commuted his 12-year jail sentence to six years. - FMT

‘Tiada bantahan’ ketika pemilihan, Upko pertahan presiden dilantik pengerusi PH Sabah

 

Pada pemilihan PH Sabah bulan lepas, Ewon Benedick menewaskan Christina Liew, pengerusi PH Sabah sejak 2017, dengan kelebihan tiga undi. (Gambar Facebook)

PETALING JAYA: 

Upko mempertahankan pemilihan presidennya Ewon Benedick sebagai pengerusi Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah walaupun tidak dipersetujui PKR.

Setiausaha Agung Upko Nelson Angang berkata, tiada bantahan mahupun pertikaian dalam proses pemilihan 1 Dis lepas, yang melibatkan semua pemimpin komponen PH Sabah.

“Bagaimanapun kita terbuka untuk berbincang dalam Majlis Presiden (PH) dan menjelaskan apa yang berlaku dalam proses pemilihan.

“Segala ketidakpuasan hati itu dipercayai boleh kita selesaikan dengan matang dan terbuka,” katanya kepada FMT.

Pada pemilihan tersebut, Ewon Benedick menewaskan Christina Liew, pengerusi PH Sabah sejak 2017, dengan kelebihan tiga undi.

Bagaimanapun, keputusan itu tidak dipersetujui PKR Sabah kerana menurutnya, jawatan pengerusi PH negeri sepatutnya milik parti itu, tanpa perlu dipertandingkan, menurut formula dipersetujui dan dipatuhi semua komponen.

Seorang pemimpin PKR yang enggan dinamakan malah mendakwa, pemilihan oleh PH Sabah itu suatu cubaan untuk mengetepikan partinya.

Dalam pada itu, Ketua PKR Sabah Mustapha Sakmud dilaporkan berkata, keputusan pelantikan jawatan itu akan disahkan majlis presiden pusat. - FMT