UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr. Akmal Saleh has sternly rebuked Datuk Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin for his recent remarks regarding the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15). Shamsul, the Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, had claimed in a podcast that he could have won the seat against UMNO President Dato' Seri Zahid Hamidi if not for an instruction from Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim to forgo a recount.
Akmal criticized Shamsul's suggestion, stating that elections are governed by strict laws and should not be tainted by political theatrics. He reminded Shamsul that election results, whether a victory or a loss, must be respected within the legal framework established by the Election Commission (EC).
"Datuk Shamsul Iskandar, when you were defeated in the Melaka State Election (PRN) for the Paya Rumput constituency, were you forced to hold back from challenging the outcome? Elections have laws. If you are dissatisfied, file an objection within the given timeframe, instead of making cheap speculations about supposedly 'giving' victory to Dato' Seri Zahid Hamidi. Winning is winning, and losing is losing, as per the law. You don't need to act like a hero!" Akmal asserted.
The Merlimau assemblyman went further, suggesting that Shamsul should run again in future elections if he wishes to challenge Zahid's win: “In the next election, compete again, what’s the problem?”
Shamsul's controversial statement stemmed from his narrow defeat in Bagan Datuk by just 348 votes. He revealed in the podcast that Anwar had asked him not to request a recount, citing the need to form a unity government with UMNO. Shamsul considered challenging the results due to the margin of 348 votes and 800 spoiled ballots but ultimately complied with Anwar’s directive.
UMNO leaders were quick to denounce Shamsul's comments. UMNO Information Chief Dato' Seri Azalina Othman Said chastised him for casting doubt on the democratic process. Azalina remarked that he should have accepted his defeat graciously or raised his objections with the Election Commission at the appropriate time. She further stressed that Zahid Hamidi respected the democratic process and would have accepted the voters' decision.
The issue of Shamsul's recount claim has ignited wider criticism, with Zahid’s daughter, Datuk Nurulhidayah, also weighing in. "Now you're saying you sacrificed yourself to form the unity government? If that's true, Barisan Nasional and PKR should request an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)," she wrote.
Shamsul’s attempt to frame himself as a political hero has backfired, with many viewing his remarks as a calculated effort to reframe his defeat in Bagan Datuk as a noble sacrifice for the unity government. However, for Akmal Saleh and other critics, the message is clear: elections are about legal procedures and fairness, not about playing the hero.
By: Kpost
Information Source: Suaratv , MSN, TheStar
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