'Why didn't Akmal oppose BN working with Umno-poaching Bersatu?'

Summary

• A PKR leader questions why Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh didn't oppose BN working with Bersatu during the Sheraton Move.

• Bersatu had poached 14 MPs from Umno prior to the political coup.

• PKR deputy secretary-general Dr Sathia Prakash Nadarajan calls Akmal a thorn in BN's flesh.

A PKR leader has questioned why Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is only kicking up a fuss about party hopping now but not during the Sheraton Move.

This came after Akmal proposed that BN reassess its ties with its "friends" - referring to Pakatan Harapan - after news emerged that Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz was exploring defecting from Umno to PKR.

PKR deputy secretary-general Dr Sathia Prakash Nadarajan criticised Akmal for frequently targeting DAP, PKR, and Progressive Democratic Party leaders, implying he might be “aligned” with others.

"My question to Akmal is simple. Where was he when BN agreed to cooperate with Perikatan Nasional to form a new federal government through the Sheraton Move, even though PN took 13 Umno MPs after the 14th general election in 2018?

"If Harapan courts even one Umno leader, they want to review their position in the government. Yet, if PN takes 13 Umno MPs, it’s not an issue.

"It seems BN should instead review Akmal’s position in the coalition, as he is a thorn in the flesh of this government," Sathia (above) told Malaysiakini.

On Saturday, Akmal suggested that BN re-examine its relationship with coalition partners, following the rumours about Zafrul, saying this showed a lack of respect.

The Malacca state executive councillor stressed that Umno has dignity and should not be belittled.

‘Party-switching normal’

Zafrul confirmed last night that he had early talks about joining PKR but had not yet made a decision.

The Umno supreme council member also dismissed speculation that he was mulling the jump to become Selangor menteri besar.

Commenting further, Sathia said party-switching is common in a democracy.

"It is a part of democracy and a normal thing.

"The important thing is that as a party, we (PKR) do not actively attract members from other parties. But if a leader wants to leave their party and join ours, it can be discussed.

"I see that Akmal lacks political maturity in understanding this issue," Sathia added.

This is not the first time PKR has taken in members from allied parties.

In late 2020 and early 2021, five Amanah elected representatives defected to PKR.

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