Akmal warns lazy, unreachable reps will not be renominated

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth will not renominate elected representatives from its wing who are deemed lazy or difficult for the public to reach in the next election.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said firm action would be taken to ensure representatives genuinely championed the party’s struggle instead of their personal interests.

“I want to remind Umno Youth elected representatives. There is nothing more important than the party’s struggle.

“If there are any of our elected representatives who are lazy. If there are any of our elected representatives who are difficult to reach by phone or to get them to respond to WhatsApp messages, please let us know.

“We will ensure that they are not nominated again in the future,” he said during Umno General Assembly 2026 (PAU) at World Trade Centre (WTC) today.

He said the grassroots should act as the leadership’s “eyes and ears” by reporting representatives who failed to carry out their duties or provide service to the party.

He said elected representatives from the wing should also avoid becoming arrogant or considering themselves superior after taking office.

Dr Akmal, who is also the Merlimau State Legislative Assembly member, said their positions were not secured solely through their personal capabilities but through the support and assistance of other party members.

Also present at the 2026 Umno general assembly today were Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Pas Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden.

Dr Akmal also reminded the 11 Umno Youth elected representatives currently in office not to be afraid to speak about the party’s struggle.

“If there are elected representatives who are afraid to speak about the party’s struggle, I will certainly cooperate with those elected representatives wholeheartedly,” he said.