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PARTI Amanah Negara (Amanah) Melaka has called on UMNO Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh to speak openly about his party’s push to leave the Unity Government, insisting that claims of “violating Malay and Islamic red lines” are a smokescreen.
Amanah Melaka chairman Datuk Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat said the real impetus behind the demand was the High Court’s recent rejection of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to amend his 1MDB conviction.
“Stop inventing reasons that Malay and Islamic red lines have been breached. The truth is, you want UMNO to exit because of Najib’s case. That is the sole reason, isn’t it? Just be honest and straightforward,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He added: “Do you think the Unity Government can interfere with or control the courts? If you disagree with a court decision, file an appeal like every other Malaysian. Why call for leaving the government just because the judiciary is performing its duties?”
Ashraf noted that while Dr Akmal received enthusiastic support from UMNO Youth delegates, Amanah Melaka’s stance remained consistent: it would neither block nor attempt to persuade the party.
“If you insist on being a thorn in the side or a fire in the husk, it serves no purpose. If you want to leave, go ahead. We’ll roll out the red carpet. If you want to continue working for the people with the Unity Government, we have long been ready. Stop the hypocrisy over Malay and Islamic red lines. This is UMNO’s political ambition, not a matter of Malay or Islamic principles,” he said.
Ashraf further challenged Dr Akmal to begin action at the state level in Melaka if he genuinely wished to pull UMNO out of the Unity Government.
“If Dr Akmal finds it difficult to push federal UMNO leaders to resign as ministers, start here in Melaka. Meet the Chief Minister or raise the issue in state executive meetings to demand the removal of Pakatan Harapan Melaka from the state government. What is there to fear? Simple matters should start locally. We are not busy sabotaging unity; it is you who are determined,” he said.
The remarks come after Dr Akmal, who is also the Merlimau state assemblyman, urged UMNO at the special UMNO Youth convention at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur to collectively decide on withdrawing from the Unity Government.
He also challenged DAP to resign in Melaka, arguing that the party’s participation in the state government undermined UMNO’s role and that decisions should reflect principled commitment to Malay and Islamic interests. - January 4, 2025