Akmal quits as Malacca exco to 'lawan DAP habis-habisan'

UMNO AGM | Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has announced his resignation from the Malacca government’s executive council, vowing to fight DAP “till the end”.

Speaking at the Umno Youth assembly, the Merlimau assemblyperson said he was stepping down as state executive councillor for rural development, agriculture and food security.

“I am brave enough to state that I am resigning to ‘lawan DAP habis-habisan’ (fight DAP till the end),” he said to applause and cheers from the delegates.

The announcement was made in the presence of Malacca Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Akmal said his decision was based on dignity.

“When people told me to resign, I wanted to say that I have dignity. I am someone who will carry the voice of the people at the grassroots. I carry the voice of grassroots members who are anxious.

“I hereby resign as an exco member of the Malacca government effective next week,” he said while delivering the Umno Youth policy speech at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

Akmal has frequently been at loggerheads with DAP over various issues.

The most recent flare-up in tensions was over DAP’s Puchong MP, Yeo Bee Yin, celebrating a court ruling rejecting Najib Abdul Razak’s bid to be placed under house arrest.

The incident prompted Akmal to call for Umno’s exit from the government, which in turn led DAP Youth to tell the Umno Youth chief to quit from the Malacca government instead.

READ MORE: Akmal's Umno exit may shift its tone, not direction, analysts say

Akmal, who remains as Merlimau assemblyperson, said he had already met Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as Rauf, before making his decision.

‘Only drop exco position’

At the initial stage, he said, he intended to resign from all his posts, but Umno leaders advised him to only relinquish his Malacca exco position.

Speculation that Akmal would resign from all posts began to gain traction after a screenshot circulated showing he planned to do so on Jan 9.

According to a source close to Umno, Akmal informed a group of the party’s youth leaders about the matter via a WhatsApp message. At the time, Akmal was still in Shanghai, China.

“When the Malays have spoken, and the party has made a decision.

“As someone who loves this party deeply, I accept the party’s decision, but what is the meaning of being a leader if we do not respect their voices?

“Therefore, with full humility, I feel that I must take full responsibility for the party that we love.

“So God willing, after I return from Shanghai, I will resign from all positions in the party as well as my position as an elected representative,” he said in the WhatsApp group.

‘Stop infighting’

In his speech today, Akmal also urged the party’s top leadership to stop infighting and to open the door as wide as possible to those who have been expelled or suspended.

To make that effort successful, he said, all parties must set aside their egos and unite for the party’s strength and survival.

“Enough of us fighting among ourselves.

“With full humility, I appeal to Datuk Seri president, that Umno’s doors be opened to those who still love the struggle, even though some of them have been suspended, some have been expelled, some have joined other parties, but their souls are Umno souls.

“It is not too late yet… as Datuk Seri (the president) said yesterday: Welcome back to Umno,” he added.

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