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Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Penang DAPSY calls for cutting political ties with Umno youth chief over extreme conduct
DAPSY claimed that Dr Akmal's recent actions pose 'a serious violation of the country's laws' and contradict the Unity Government's commitment to diversity. Penang DAPSY urges DAP and National DAPSY to cut all forms of political cooperation with Umno Youth Chief, especially ahead of the upcoming general election. Photo for illustration purpose. Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh. Photo: BERNAMA FILE PIX GEORGE TOWN – The Penang DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) has urged both DAP and national-level DAPSY to completely end political cooperation with Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, citing his alleged extreme political behaviour and threats to national harmony. In a statement on Friday, Penang DAPSY claimed that Dr Akmal's recent actions pose 'a serious violation of the country's laws' and contradict the Unity Government's commitment to diversity. 'Dr Akmal's action of openly threatening the prosecutor and subsequently organising a gathering is a serious violation of the country's laws. 'This behaviour contradicts the stance of the Unity Government that embraces diversity and deliberately fuels racial sentiments, thereby undermining public confidence in the government's ability to maintain national stability,' it said on Friday. The Youth wing also criticised Dr Akmal for allegedly downplaying past incidents, including when Umno Youth Terengganu and Pas used the wrong version of the national flag. They further accused him of stoking racial hatred in line with the opposition's political narrative. 'Although Umno is part of the Unity Government, he seems to be a tool of Perikatan Nasional to create problems and disrupt the government's administration,' the statement added. Penang DAPSY stressed that any breaches of the Flag Act should be addressed by authorities and not used as political leverage. 'The patriotism slogan often championed by Akmal is nothing more than cheap political capital for personal gain. "When politicians are allowed to act outside the framework of the law while inciting racial hatred, Malaysia will become a country that frightens its own people,' it said. The group reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rule of law, dignity, and safety of every Malaysian citizen. The call came after a 500-strong crowd from Umno, Pas and Bersatu, led by Dr Akmal, marched during the 'Jalur Gemilang Solidarity Gathering – Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku' in Kepala Batas ahead of National Day. The march turned tense when another group, led by Lawyers for Liberty Malaysia Director Zaid Malek, displayed placards reading 'Don't Be a Zionist' and 'Don't Bully'. No arrests or incidents were reported after the gathering dispersed. Meanwhile, Dr Akmal said that any move to sever ties with him should not be viewed in isolation from the organisation he represents. 'Cutting ties with me means cutting ties with Umno Youth, which means cutting ties with Umno. Ok. Bring it on,' he said in a Facebook post on Friday.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Penang Dapsy urges DAP to cut all political ties with Akmal
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) has called on the national DAP and Dapsy leadership to immediately sever all political ties with Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, citing his increasingly extreme political behaviour as a threat to national unity and the rule of law. Penang Dapsy said the national leadership should take this step particularly in the run-up to the upcoming general election. It said Akmal's act of openly threatening a public prosecutor, followed by a subsequent gathering, constituted a serious violation of the country's rule of law. "Such behaviour not only contradicts the stance of the unity government, which celebrates diversity, but also deliberately stokes racial sentiment, thereby undermining public confidence in the government's ability to maintain national stability. "In reality, when Terengganu Umno Youth and Pas once used an incorrect version of the national flag, Akmal chose to downplay the matter. "Worse still, in this flag issue, his decision to adopt a tone of hatred towards other races aligns with the racial narrative of Bersatu and Pas. "Although Umno is part of the unity government, Akmal has become a tool of Perikatan Nasional, whose main role is to create problems and disrupt government administration. "As such, we urge both the national DAP and Dapsy to sever all forms of political cooperation with Akmal, particularly in the upcoming general election," it said today. Yesterday, Akmal led more than 300 Umno, Bersatu and Pas supporters in a show of unity and patriotism on a 1.4km march carrying the Jalur Gemilang in Kepala Batas. The gathering followed a recent controversy involving an upside-down Jalur Gemilang displayed at a hardware store here. Penang Dapsy said that in any democratic country, violations of the Flag Act should be investigated and dealt with by the authorities, and not used by politicians as an excuse to act like "moral police" or behave like thugs. It said Akmal often chanted slogans of "patriotism", but in reality, he was exploiting the issue as cheap political capital for his own gain. "Akmal's thuggish behaviour has threatened public peace and the freedom of Malaysians to conduct business. "Penang Dapsy stresses that when politicians are allowed to act outside the bounds of the law while continuing to incite racial hatred, Malaysia becomes a frightening place for its own citizens. "Akmal's behaviour clearly reflects arrogance and a lack of respect for the rule of law, making him a 'cancer' in the country's political landscape. "Therefore, Penang Dapsy calls on DAP and national Dapsy to take a clear stand by cutting all ties with any such politician who disrespects the spirit of the rule of law and undermines national unity," it added. Penang Dapsy said it would continue to defend the rule of law, dignity and safety of every Malaysian citizen. Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim had urged police to act against Akmal for leading the procession yesterday, which the party claimed defied police instructions and disrupted public order. Sim described the march as provocative and unlawful, saying it undermined efforts to foster unity during Merdeka month.
