This is Umno Youth’s stance, Akmal says on pledge to skip Melaka polls

This is Umno Youth’s stance, Akmal says on pledge to skip Melaka polls

KOTA BHARU: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh says his pledge to stay out of the Melaka polls should Barisan Nasional (BN) cooperate with Pakatan Harapan (PH) was not made in his capacity as an assemblyman but based on what the wing wants.

“My stance is that of Umno Youth. We are steadfast that we do not want to work with PH,” Akmal, who was elected as Merlimau’s representative in the 2021 Melaka polls, added.

“I am not sure about the central leadership, but this is the youth wing’s stance,” he told a press conference after attending the PAS Youth muktamar here today.

Last week, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said formal negotiations with PH on cooperation in the Melaka election were expected to begin after the state legislative assembly is dissolved.

While BN and PH are allies in the unity government, BN forged a pact with Perikatan Nasional (PN), which includes PAS, for the Negeri Sembilan polls on Aug 1.

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The Melaka government’s term expires on Dec 31, unless the state assembly is dissolved earlier. Elections must be held within 60 days of dissolution.

BN formed the state government in 2022 after winning 21 of the 28 seats. PH won five seats and PN, two.

Akmal said the youth wing’s rejection of any collaboration with PH was declared publicly at its convention earlier this year.

In January, Akmal urged Umno to exit the unity government and called for the revival of Muafakat Nasional, the electoral pact forged between Umno and PAS in 2019 to consolidate the Malay-Muslim vote.

“That was our stance then (in January), but the party later decided to stay with the unity government until the end of its term, and we respect that decision,” he said.

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Meanwhile, PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said the wing would organise a gathering for Muslim unity with Umno before the 16th general election.

He said the rally would be open to all races who wanted “peace, unity and wellbeing”.