I have met Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh a couple of times.
Once during the Nenggiri by-election and another at last year’s Umno General Assembly (PAU). Both times, he struck me as approachable, calm and willing to answer questions without hesitation.
In person, he was not as intimidating as his reputation often paints him.
Yet, on the political stage, Dr Akmal has carved an image of a fiery figure unafraid to shout his stance.
On Aug 19, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) president Ibrahim Ali did not mince his words.
He accused Dr Akmal of being brave only when addressing “safe” symbolic issues such as the infamous Allah socks controversy last year and the recent upside-down Jalur Gemilang cases.
But when it came to scandals that cut deeper; corruption, integrity, economic struggles; Ibrahim said Umno Youth was silent.
He pointed to the RM11 billion Littoral Combat Ship scandal, unpaid pensions for veterans, the economy weighed down by stagnant wages and higher taxes and unresolved institutional reforms.
These, he argued, were the issues where real courage was needed.
And truthfully, it was difficult to dismiss Ibrahim’s point.
Recently, Dr Akmal was back in the spotlight over the Jalur Gemilang mishap at a Penang hardware store.
A national flag had been hoisted upside down, a recurring, frustrating mistake I have written about before.
Dr Akmal posted videos demanding that prosecutors charge the shop owner within two days. Otherwise, he threatened to “personally teach this ‘Ah Pek’ how to put up a flag correctly.”
To me, that was a step too far. Yes, the flag is sacred. Yes, Malaysians should know how to raise it properly. But in a multiracial country where sensitivities run deep, such threats sound more like intimidation than leadership.
They risk disrupting harmony rather than protecting it.
What if the mistake was genuinely unintentional? If mob anger were provoked and something happened to the shop owner, would the outcome justify the rhetoric? Surely not.
Here is the paradox of Dr Akmal. On one hand, I admire his firmness in defending Malay and Muslim issues. It is reassuring, in a way, to know there are leaders who are unapologetically vocal about protecting their community.
As a Muslim and Malay myself, I see value in having someone within the establishment unafraid to speak loudly about matters close to our identity.
But on the other hand, Ibrahim's criticism revealed a truth many Malaysians already sense: Dr Akmal’s fights seem selective.
Online, there is a running joke, whenever controversies arise outside his usual topics, netizens sarcastically say, “Call Dr Akmal to comment.”
The implication is clear: he chooses battles that reinforce his brand, but avoids those that could cut into his allies or the government he is part of.
This is where Ibrahim’s words ring loudest: “History would distinguish between leaders who merely played up popular issues and those who genuinely fought for the people.”
True courage in politics is not only shouting about outsiders’ missteps. It is also daring to call out wrongs within one’s own house, even when it is uncomfortable. It is standing for integrity, not only symbolism.
Yes, it carries risks. Yes, it could strain friendships within the government. But no government is perfect. No party is flawless. And Malaysians can easily tell the difference between a leader who defends the flag while ignoring corruption and one who does both with equal conviction.
Dr Akmal has the makings of a “young lion.” But if he is to live up to that image, he cannot keep choosing only the battles that are safe.
His recent controversies add weight to this debate:
- The KK Mart “Allah” socks issue: His fiery stance, while popular among some, was said to have indirectly encouraged petrol bomb attacks on KK Mart outlets.
- The Teresa Kok remarks: He mocked the Seputeh MP Teresa Kok as a “nyonya tua” and said he would paste a non-halal logo on her forehead. Kok, in turn, questioned why halal certification should be mandatory for pork-free businesses.
- The Japanese sword post: He shared a photo with a sword, captioned with words that suggested defiance, which critics read as incitement.
- The Penang flag case: He threatened to confront a shop owner if authorities failed to act.
And now, as of Aug 19, he himself was set to face charges under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for allegedly making statements that could disrupt public order.
Many Malaysians today are far more informed and discerning than they were in the past. With access to education and the rise of social media as a space for gathering information, observing and exchanging views, the public has become sharper and harder to sway with traditional political theatrics.
The old style of projecting “fierceness” or “courage” merely for media headlines no longer carries the same weight, as people can see through such performances. For a young leader like Dr Akmal, who is highly educated and trained as a medical doctor, the potential to succeed is there.
However, no politician can thrive by relying on outdated methods.
The public now expects substance, accountability and real proof of leadership. The standards have shifted and it is time for politicians to adapt accordingly.
Dr Akmal has a gift. He is articulate, passionate and unafraid to ruffle feathers. In person, he showed me a softer, calmer side that does not always come through in his public persona.
But Malaysia does not need a leader who only roars at symbolic enemies. We need leaders who can balance symbolism with substance, courage with responsibility and passion with restraint.
Otherwise, what good is a lion if it never leaves the safety of its den?