Umno Youth: Political cooperation a 'set menu', DAP cannot be picky

Umno Youth secretary Hafiz Ariffin told his DAP counterparts that political cooperation is not something one can pick and choose.

He said Penang DAP Youth's call to cut ties with the Umno wing would affect the cooperation between both parties.

"Political cooperation is a set buffet - you get everything. You can't just pick what you like and what you dislike.

"So if you say, 'cut ties with (Umno Youth chief) Dr Akmal Saleh'... indirectly, cutting ties with Umno Youth... it sends the message that (you want to) cut ties with Umno," he said in a video posted to his Facebook page.

He also aimed a blow at Penang DAP Youth, telling them to think before issuing statements.

Earlier, Penang DAP Youth accused Akmal of acting against the coalition government’s inclusive principle after the Merlimau assemblyperson led a protest against a hardware store owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, following the businessperson being caught on video hanging a Jalur Gemilang upside down.

It came after Akmal earlier threatened to show up at the store and “educate” the owner, Pang Chin Tian, if authorities did not file charges against him by Wednesday.

Although 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.

After the incident went viral on social media, Pang claimed that he was measuring the length of an iron pole while hanging the national flag and did not notice that the flag was upside down.

Earlier today, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke issued a directive to all party youth representatives to file reports against Akmal over the issue.

He said Akmal's choice to resort to “intimidation and bullying” has not aided in resolving tensions.

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