SHAH ALAM - Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh has taken a firm stand against any attempt to form a government through ‘backdoor’ manoeuvres, stressing that political power must be determined through elections and not internal arrangements.
Speaking amid the ongoing Negeri Sembilan political developments, Dr Akmal said the principle of respecting the people’s mandate must remain paramount, even if it means withdrawing support from the current Unity Government.
“However, when the crisis in Negeri Sembilan occurred, the tone changed. When I stated that I disagreed with the ‘backdoor’ approach, I instead received various insults,” he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
He pointed out that similar situations in the past, including the leadership crisis in Perlis, had sparked public outrage and calls for fresh elections, with some political figures even facing disciplinary action.
Dr Akmal clarified that while Umno could consider withdrawing its support from the government, such a move should not be used to justify forming a new administration without going back to the electorate.
“If support is withdrawn and the government falls, we must go through the election process to return the mandate to the people, not by using ‘backdoor’ methods,” he said.
He also acknowledged recent political developments in Negeri Sembilan, where support from Perikatan Nasional (PN) assemblymen towards Barisan Nasional (BN) has been seen as a potential pathway for greater unity among Malay-based parties.
Nevertheless, he insisted that any form of political cooperation must be tested through elections rather than negotiated through backroom arrangements.
“I urge that we cooperate in elections, in line with my previous stance to see cooperation between Umno and Pas realised,” he said.
Dr Akmal further drew a distinction between leaders who stand by their principles and those he described as blind loyalists, warning that the latter tend to justify actions based on self-interest.
“Therefore, the people need principled leaders, not blind loyalists. I remain firm that Umno should withdraw support and become a dignified opposition or face elections, not form a government through ‘backdoor’ methods,” he added.