Unity meet: Better a forced marriage to a loyal partner than a two-timing one, says Umno Youth chief

KUALA LUMPUR: It is better to be in a "forced marriage" with loyal partners than with a cheating partner, says Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

"Some say this (the unity government) is a forced marriage but I want to point out, some of our forebears did not even know each other when they got married.

ALSO READ: Unity govt convention: Engage with youth in their spaces, say delegates

"What is the point of being in a long relationship with a cheating partner?" he said during the Unity Government National Youth Convention at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (May 14).

While he did not refer to any parties in particular, some viewed it as an allusion to ties with PAS, which soured after Umno's Muafakat Nasional partner became part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

Dr Muhamad Akmal added that it was time to leave the past behind, recalling how PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim – a student activist at the time – had brought down a flag with the image of then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at this very venue over a decade ago.

"It was a very tense situation then but now we are all together through God’s plan," he said.

ALSO READ: Let’s end political rivalry among Youth leaders in unity govt, says Adam Adli

Adam Adli, who was also at the convention, had said earlier it was time to end decades of political rivalry among Youth wing leaders of unity government parties.

He added that differences among the parties must be managed and the respective leaders had a duty to work together instead of strengthening their own positions.