MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh denied that he was asked to stay away from the campaign over the halal certification issue.

He told Free Malaysia Today this morning that he has been commuting to Mahkota since Sept 7 to ensure that the BN campaign runs smoothly.

“No one has asked me not to come down (to Mahkota). I am in Mahkota right now and I commute here almost every day to ensure BN’s campaign runs smoothly.

"The issue between me and Teresa Kok doesn’t need to be politicised in Mahkota. The focus should be on Syed Hussien (Syed Abdullah),” Akmal (above) said at a fishing competition with the party candidate in Taman Ilham.

On Tuesday, Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan denied that Akmal was given a reduced role in the by-election, adding that the matter between the youth chief and DAP vice-chairperson is a personal matter, not a clash between two political parties.

Earlier, FMT reported an anonymous Umno leader as saying Akmal’s role in the by-election was reduced to avoid causing discomfort among Chinese voters.

This is because Chinese Malaysians comprise about 35 percent of the electorate in Mahkota.

Before the by-election campaign began, two Pakatan Harapan leaders expressed concern that Akmal’s attacks against Kok may hurt BN’s chances of winning.

Teresa Kok

The attack started when Kok criticised the Islamic Development Department (Jakim)’s proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork and alcohol, but this was later dropped.

Kok said the proposal has the potential to increase the burden on businesses, including thousands of Malay restaurant operators.

Akmal retaliated by calling her an “old Nyonya” who should not have interfered in Islamic affairs and said he would ask the government to prepare a “non-halal logo” to stick on her forehead.

After giving her statement to the police on Sept 10, Kok issued a letter of demand to Akmal, seeking RM25 million in damages, to which the Umno leader replied: “Ok, Nyonya. We meet in court. No fear, no surrender.”

Akmal-Teresa clash merely 'Chinese opera act', says Chegubard

Akmal-Teresa clash merely 'Chinese opera act', says Chegubard

BN win in Mahkota key to ensuring continued investor confidence - Teo

BN win in Mahkota key to ensuring continued investor confidence - Teo

Wanita Umno chief rebuffs questions on Akmal's 'Nyonya' jibe

Wanita Umno chief rebuffs questions on Akmal's 'Nyonya' jibe

Akmal not told to stay away from Mahkota campaign: Umno leader

Akmal not told to stay away from Mahkota campaign: Umno leader