With Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh mulling to quit all his positions following setbacks in his push for the party to leave the coalition government, analysts weighed in how his departure may impact the nationalist party.

International Islamic University Malaysia political science analyst Syaza Shukri said Akmal's absence would probably make Umno Youth “less vocal and less forward”, though not entirely deferential to the party’s central leadership.

“I think without Akmal, Umno Youth would probably be less vocal and less forward. Not to say it would be quiet and subservient to central leadership but I think it would be more consensus driven and a more united voice,” she told Malaysiakini.

She noted that Umno Youth has historically been more...