'Nice father' Zahid says loves 'mischievous child' Akmal

UMNO AGM | Claps and cheers from delegates in Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre, marked a highlight of party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s winding-up speech, as he returned a family sentiment expressed by Umno Youth chief, Dr Akmal Saleh.

Opening his winding-up speech, Zahid described Akmal’s outspoken and “mischievous” nature as part of his fight for grassroots issues, saying that as a “father”, he had never stopped or punished him.

The deputy prime minister, speaking in a joking tone, even said he loved Akmal more than Akmal loved him.

Directly addressing Akmal, Zahid referred to himself as “ayahanda” (father) and said, “This is what ‘ayahanda’ wants to remind you - ‘ayahanda’ knows Akmal is a good child, but sometimes mischievous. When Akmal quarrels, has ‘ayahanda’ ever controlled or stopped you? No, right?

“Has ‘ayahanda’ ever punished you? No, right? ‘Ayahanda’ is a nice father. Does a father not love a child who is occasionally mischievous? He still loves him,” said Zahid.

“Akmal, when Akmal comes forward, have I ever asked Akmal to stop? No, right. Want to hold a youth convention - ‘ayahanda’ allowed it.

“If a mischievous child loves the president once, the president will love twice as much,” he said, drawing applause and cheers from delegates.

Earlier, Akmal, in his winding-up speech, described himself as a “mischievous child” who loves Zahid like a father.

The Merlimau assemblyperson said that while many assumed that he was not aligned with the party president, that was not the case.

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