'Real Umno will show up for Najib, UmDAP type won't'

Summary

• Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah) condemns Umno for backing out of supporting Najib Abdul Razak's rally, with vice-chairperson Hishammudin accusing those pulling back of being "UmDAP".

• Perkasa president Syed Hassan praises Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for his bravery in attending the rally, suggesting Umno should promote him and challenge those aligning with DAP.

Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah), a coalition of Malay Muslim NGOs, has criticised Umno for backing out of its support to show solidarity with former party president Najib Abdul Razak this Monday.

Ummah vice-chairperson Hishammudin Abu Bakar remarked that only true Umno members would stand by Najib, and accused those who distanced themselves of being “UmDAP”.

“In my view, those who backed out are UmDAP. Real Umno members will show up.

“If they don’t, the people will witness yet another unfortunate episode of Malay leaders bowing to DAP's demands,” Hishammudin (above) told the media during a press conference at Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur today.

UmDAP is a pejorative term used against Umno by its critics after the party joined forces with DAP to form the coalition government after the last general election.

The rally is in support of Najib, who is set to attend a court hearing regarding the purported royal addendum that would allow him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence at home.

After a warning from Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain against participating in rallies, as well as a statement from Istana Negara outlining that clemency requests must go through the Pardons Board, Umno called off the gathering.

However, Umno Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh announced that he would personally attend.

‘Akmal is brave’

Perkasa president Syed Hassan Syed Ali, who was also present, praised Akmal for his bravery and suggested that Umno should consider promoting him to a higher position.

“We see Akmal as someone with good principles, bravery, and a readiness to face dismissal. People like him should rise quickly within Umno and challenge the cowards. They should bring down those who are just followers of DAP.

“Good Umno leaders are hard to come by these days. The ones who are truly capable often stay silent to preserve their positions.

“So Akmal, use this opportunity to become a hero. As an NGO, we will stand by you on any issue that concerns the Malay and Muslim community,” he added.

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