2 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.
