Dr Akmal wants Umno, Pas to unite
He said such unity is important to ensure that Malay political strength continues to be preserved amid the increasingly challenging national political landscape.
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has expressed his hope that Umno and Pas can unite to forge greater Malay unity.
He shared this view while delivering his speech at the Umno Youth Special Convention held at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) on Saturday.
He said such unity is important to ensure that Malay political strength continues to be preserved amid the increasingly challenging national political landscape.
He said the time has come for the two largest Malay-based parties to set aside their differences for the sake of religion, race and the nation.
“We acknowledge that there have been verbal clashes, disagreements, hurt feelings, anger and conflicts.
“The time has come for us to reconnect and nurture a greater spirit in order to restore national interests,” he said.
The convention, themed ‘Umno’s Direction in the Unity Government’, was attended by 1,800 members who also openly and boldly voiced their views and sentiments, including reassessing the party’s current position within the current government.
Dr Akmal said Umno, particularly its Youth wing and the entire party leadership, is ready to serve as a platform for Malay unity as part of its responsibility to defend religion, race and the homeland.
He added that the unity effort is not based solely on nostalgia or historical romanticism, but is an urgent necessity for the survival of the Malay community.
“This is not about nostalgia or romanticising history, but about the survival of the Malays.
“I call on the leadership to close old chapters. If anyone feels hurt, close those old stories and open a new page.
“We have learned from the impact of past divisions, when our people became increasingly emboldened to be insulted and sensitive issues were openly discussed as if the Malays no longer exist in this country,” he said.
He also stressed that the grassroots do not, in reality, have major problems with unity and that divisions often stem from the failure of leadership to be open-hearted.
“I call on the leaders of my own party and other parties - enough is enough.
“Our religion and our race need us today. Open your hearts and forgive one another. I cannot bear to see the Malays continue to be humiliated in their own homeland,” he said.
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