KUALA LUMPUR: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan welcomes its Youth chief's proposal to get DAP to apologise to Umno for its past attacks against the party.
His positive reaction to Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's suggestion comes even though Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier on Thursday (June 8) called on his party to end demands for DAP to say sorry.
"That's a good suggestion," Mohamad told reporters here tonight after attending an Umno supreme council meeting.
He opined that DAP should be magnanimous to extend the apology to Umno, just as it did to the people of Sarawak following the 15th General Election before the formation of a unity government.
"If they apologise, then it will be good since we are working together in the government. We must be gracious to do something for the good of the future," Mohamad added.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid noted that DAP had already agreed to terms set by Umno when they were negotiating to set up the unity government.
Last December, the Umno president said DAP had given its word on accepting and complying with the four Articles enshrined in the Federal Constitution pertaining to Islam and the special rights of Malays.
In his policy speech at the Umno Youth annual general meeting, Dr Muhamad Akmal said the apology should be issued before the parties in the unity government head into state elections.
"When forming the Federal Government, DAP had flown to Sarawak to meet Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders to apologise. If they could be honest with GPS, why can't they do the same with us?
"If you want to soothe the feelings of Umno members, if you are sincere in forging friendship, we ask DAP to retract their previous allegations against us,” he said.
Later, when wrapping up his speech at the meeting, Dr Muhamad Akmal maintained that Umno Youth will not retract its demand for an apology from DAP.
On Nov 25 last year, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had called on GPS chairman and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Kuching to apologise.
