Latest news with #AkmalSaleh
Free Malaysia Today
30-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
On the Akmal-Kerk exchange, the chips are getting better bluer
From Terence Netto The latest exchanges between Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh and DAP Ayer Keroh assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee show signs of heading towards where democratic discourse could become – a prod towards alleviation. In response to Kerk's challenge to Akmal to be 'a leader for all Malaysians', Akmal has asserted he is already such a leader, citing how he has helped his constituents in Merlimau regardless of their race or religion. The good thing about the tenor of these exchanges is that they induce the protagonists to expand the ambit of their concerns. This is a plus point because it goads them to want to be seem bigger than the concerns that impel them: in Akmal's case, the issues that concern the Malays; and in Kerk's case, the ones that typically consume the attention of a DAP rep – mother tongue education and the like. This invitation to be expansive gradually draws the protagonists to see the bigger picture, a process that would make them soften the edges of partisanship and see people as individuals and not as members of a bloc. In fact, one can see the effects of this process in Akmal's posting on Facebook: 'I have no issues with the Chinese or Indians. In fact, I help everyone equally, regardless of their race.' Sceptics may see this kind of talk as rhetorical exaggeration, normative to politicians. But in a polarised society, this hyperbole is preferable to bald assertions of fact. What is at work is that the speaker is being tempted to go beyond the boundaries of his core concerns. Akmal lambasts Kerk as a 'narrow-minded' politician who keeps on 'threatening the racial harmony that we share'. This claim is a bit tricky because it's loose and lacks substantiation, but it is excusable because in our racially divided polity, this kind of talk is difficult to banish. However, if the speaker does not confine his spiel to only this kind of porousness, but instead leaves room for alleviation by claiming he has gone beyond narrow sectarianism in his actions, you have the beginnings of fruitful dialogue. After implying that Akmal is an 'extremist', perhaps Kerk should go beyond mere criticism and think of some endeavour or project that invites collaboration between DAP and Umno Youth. He could obtain the help of the chief minister of Melaka, Ab Rauf Yusof, of whom Kerk has a benign view. He describes Rauf as an 'inclusive' politician. The latter has been in politics for a long time and should have some ideas to encourage Kerk in a quest for collaboration rather than just criticism of Akmal. Just as Kerk has challenged Akmal to rise above sectarianism, so he should also rise above mere antagonism towards the Umno Youth leader. Terence Netto is a senior journalist and an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Malaysiakini
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Akmal to Anwar: 'We are not obsessed with Najib, just want fair treatment'
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh today hits back at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for criticising those he deemed having "an obsession" with the 1MDB scandal and former premier Najib Abdul Razak. "This is not an obsession with Najib, dear prime minister, but we are defending his right to serve (the remainder of his jail sentence) under house arrest, as what the former Agong had granted him. "We have never...
Malaysiakini
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Akmal to Anwar: 'We are not obsessed with Najib, just want fair treatment'
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh today hits back at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for criticising those he deemed having "an obsession" with the 1MDB scandal and former premier Najib Abdul Razak. "This is not an obsession with Najib, dear prime minister, but we are defending his right to serve (the remainder of his jail sentence) under house arrest, as what the former Agong had granted him. "We have never...
Free Malaysia Today
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno will want to avoid seeming ‘tamed' by DAP in Melaka, says analyst
Umno will not want to seem weak among Malay voters as it seeks to rebuild public confidence and support, says Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar. PETALING JAYA : Umno is likely to strongly reject DAP's proposed equal distribution of seats in Melaka with Pakatan Harapan to avoid the perception that it has been 'tamed' by DAP, says an analyst. Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said the 14+14 formula proposed by nine DAP branches in the state could spark dissatisfaction, given that the matter was also not discussed by the central PH leadership. 'If Melaka Umno agrees to this, it will create the perception that the party has been 'tamed' by DAP, a narrative that runs counter with the party's veteran leaders' statements before this. 'This will only weaken Umno, especially among Malay voters, and stunt the party's efforts to rebuild public confidence and support,' he told FMT. Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh rejected a proposal from nine Melaka DAP branches for PH and BN to contest 14 seats each in the upcoming state election, telling DAP to 'dream on' after the matter was reported by Chinese daily China Press. However, he misinterpreted the report as saying that the proposal was made by nine DAP divisions rather than branches. Melaka DAP publicity secretary Kerk Chee Yee clarified that this was merely a grassroots proposal by the branches, and that the state chapter had yet to discuss the matter. The Melaka assembly has 28 seats, 20 of which are held by Barisan Nasional, five by PH and three by Perikatan Nasional. Hisomuddin Bakar. Hisomuddin said the proposal would only harm Umno's relationship with DAP, which has not yet reached an ideal balance in terms of political cooperation. 'BN will defend the seats it has won, and PH should only contest the seats they already hold. 'All negotiations for seats held by PN should be considered pragmatically. Logically, seats in Malay-majority areas should not be for DAP (to contest),' he said. Mazlan Ali. However, Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the formula could be considered, given that analyses of the 15th general election may more accurately predict support for the two parties. 'PH used to govern Melaka with more seats. Umno won the last state election because of a low voter turnout due to Covid-19. 'Negotiation and agreement are necessary to ensure stability if PH and BN intend to continue their cooperation in the coming state election,' he said.
Daily Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Be magnanimous in Melaka seat talks, Amanah urges Barisan Nasional
Published on: Friday, May 09, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 09, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Melaka Amanah chief Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat called for open minds during seat talks for the state polls, after Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh rejected an even division of the 28 seats between PH and BN. PETALING JAYA: Melaka Amanah chief Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat has urged Barisan Nasional (BN) to keep an open heart and mind when holding seat negotiations with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the next state election. Ashraf said certain allies in BN had responded arrogantly to proposals for the 28 seats to be split evenly between PH and BN, in a swipe at Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh. He argued that PH deserved a greater share of seats to contest despite currently holding just five compared with BN's 20, as the results of the 2022 general election showed that PH had performed better. 'The distinct difference between the outcomes of the state and general elections should motivate Melaka PH and Melaka BN to leverage each other's strengths instead of being proud about the current situation. 'In my view, discussions on seat distribution for the state election should be received with open minds and discussed carefully. Everyone should be free to make proposals. 'The main Melaka BN leaders should be more magnanimous and should not reject proposals from the outset without allowing room for discussions,' he said in a statement. Ashraf said the unity government was built on concessions, noting that Amanah had made way for BN to contest the Lenggeng seat in Negeri Sembilan during the 2023 state election, even though the seat was previously won by Amanah. Yesterday, Akmal rejected a grassroots proposal from nine Melaka DAP branches for PH and BN to contest 14 seats each in the upcoming state election, telling DAP to 'dream on'. However, he misinterpreted a China Press report as saying that the proposal was made by nine DAP divisions rather than branches. Melaka DAP publicity secretary Kerk Chee Yee clarified that this was merely a grassroots proposal by branches, and that the state chapter had yet to discuss the matter. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
