Compared to Akmal, PAS seems more rational, says ex-MCA veep

Summary

• Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker says Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s contemporaries in PAS seem more rational than him.

• Ti also chides DAP for its weak response, saying the latter could be firmer against rogue politicians, considering it is the party that holds the largest number of seats in the government.

With Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh unrelenting in his attacks against allies, a former MCA vice-president said PAS seemed more rational than the former.

“In a way, Akmal’s actions, in this respect, are worse than his contemporaries in PAS.

“PAS leaders seem more rational and composed in their words and deeds,” Ti Lian Ker told Malaysiakini today.

Earlier today, Penang DAP Youth urged its national leadership to cut ties with Akmal following his protest against a hardware store owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, yesterday, after the businessperson was caught on video hanging a Jalur Gemilang upside down.

While police had confirmed an investigation into the incident and urged all parties to be patient, Akmal had persisted in leading a group of Umno Youth members to gather in front of the implicated store, with Bersatu Youth members also joining the protest.

Unfazed, Akmal dared DAP to follow through with the calls, asserting any move to pull the plug on political ties with him would be akin to breaking off relations with the entire Umno youth wing - and by extension, the BN linchpin itself.

Muted DAP

Ti further trained his guns on DAP, adding that the party had been nothing but a disappointment when it came to taking on rogue politicians within the government.

This, he added, had resulted in political travesty being committed on the minorities, with no action being taken against the perpetrators.

Ti then reminisced during the BN era, when DAP constantly barraged MCA to act firmly against errant Umno leaders.

However, he said MCA could not do much at the time, given the party was neither in control of relevant ministries nor had enough seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Today, DAP has the largest number of MP seats in the government, strong enough to demand strong action against rogue politicians.

“It should not resort to being a silent partner. Playing deaf, mute and blind to the atrocities being perpetrated by such politicians is unhelpful. DAP should be firm.

“After all, this is why the people voted you to power in the first place,” Ti added.

Earlier, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke urged his youth wing members to lodge police reports against Akmal, saying Akmal’s choice to resort to “intimidation and bullying” has not aided in resolving tensions over an inverted national flag controversy.

Toothless DAP, silent PM

Urimai pro-tem deputy chairperson David Marshel also said DAP appeared toothless when dealing with Akmal.

“And the silence from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, often described as a peacemaker and global statesperson, was deafening.

“If he cannot ensure peace and stability at home, what weight does his calls for peace abroad truly carry?” he asked in a statement today.

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