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FORMER Johor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has accused UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh of having a “shallow understanding” of the concept of a ‘family party’, in a sharp response to recent remarks linked to internal party criticism.
Puad said Akmal had been the “most vocal” in using the narrative of a “family party”, particularly following internal disputes involving candidate selection ahead of the Johor state election.
“Such is the shallow thinking of the UMNO Youth chief. Whereas the term ‘family party’ carries a much broader meaning,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He argued that the issue extended beyond biological family ties, claiming that the practice could also include the selection of candidates from among “cronies, groups, supporters and sycophants”.
“The worst is when the quality, education and morality of candidates are not taken into account. As long as they are cronies, they easily become candidates,” he said.
Puad questioned how long such practices would be allowed to continue.
Responding to criticism surrounding his own family-related political associations, he insisted the matter was not about nepotism, stating that the individual involved was a former student leader who had been guided and mentored.
He also criticised UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, claiming that only part of his message had been shared publicly.
“The problem is that since becoming UMNO Secretary-General, Asyraf has made UMNO administration too exclusive and elitist. Only their own family members have easy access to facilities at the party headquarters,” he said.
Previously, Akmal Saleh had defended UMNO, insisting that the party does not practise family-based politics or favour relatives when selecting election candidates.
He also rejected claims that UMNO Johor had moved away from youth representation, saying several young candidates had been fielded in the current state election. - June 28, 2026
