Speculation surrounding the future of Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh was firmly rejected on January 9, 2026, after the wing’s secretary, Hafiz Ariffin, dismissed claims that Akmal intended to step down from his party post or relinquish his Merlimau state seat in Melaka.
Addressing the rumours, Hafiz clarified that there had been no resignation and said the reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate. He explained that he was travelling alongside Akmal to Sabah to support Umno’s campaign machinery ahead of the Kinabatangan by-election, underlining that party work was continuing as usual. According to him, both leaders were en route to take part in nomination-related activities scheduled for January 10, 2026.
The denial followed earlier reports citing unnamed sources who claimed that Akmal had informed a group of Umno Youth leaders of his intention to resign. Those reports suggested that a message circulated while Akmal was in Shanghai had indicated plans to give up all party roles as well as his Melaka legislative position upon returning to Malaysia.
The rumours gained traction after Akmal made remarks earlier in the week that were widely interpreted as signalling frustration with the party’s direction. On January 7, 2026, he suggested that stepping aside might be appropriate, following the rejection of proposals he had put forward within Umno’s leadership circles. Among those proposals was a call for Umno to withdraw from the current unity government, a stance that did not receive backing from party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Akmal had also urged Umno to revive cooperation with PAS under the Muafakat Nasional framework, an idea that was similarly turned down. The proposals were reportedly raised during a political bureau meeting held on January 5, 2026, adding to perceptions of internal disagreement within the party’s leadership ranks.
In the wake of these developments, rival youth leaders renewed pressure on Akmal to act in line with his stated principles. On January 9, 2026, calls were again made for him to step down from his role in the Melaka state executive council, arguing that his continued position in government contradicted his advocacy for Umno to leave the ruling coalition.
Despite the mounting commentary, Hafiz’s remarks sought to project stability within Umno Youth, emphasising that Akmal remained fully engaged in party activities. By highlighting their joint involvement in the Sabah campaign, the leadership appeared intent on dispelling notions of an imminent resignation and reinforcing the message that internal debates had not translated into an organisational shake-up.
For now, Umno Youth’s top leadership maintains that Akmal continues to hold his posts, even as broader discussions over the party’s political direction and alliances remain unresolved.
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