Akmal says sorry for the political appointment issue under Mat Sabu

KUALA LUMPUR - Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has issued a public apology for his criticism against the decision made by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to appoint five Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) leaders to lead agencies under the Ministry recently.

"That's why today I stand on the Unity Government stage. I apologise to my Amanah friends for opposing their appointment at statutory bodies and government-linked companies (GLC) before.

"I simply wanted to say that our job is to develop the country with a much better approach in politics.

"There's no issue if there are any differences but it should be managed in a better way," he said during the Unity Government National Convention held at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur today.

Sinar previously reported that Akmal had criticsed the appointment of politicians as five new chairmen of statutory bodies under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and had asked for the decision to be re-examined.

He said the appointments were against the principles of the Unity Government, which wants to reform the practice of political appointments in statutory bodies and GLCs.

He had requested all appointments to be withdrawn because according to him, although it is the minister's prerogative, it is necessary to take into account the principles of the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Moreover, Akmal added that parties that make up the Unity Government need to respect and understand each other.

"And more importantly, we must believe in each other," he said.