KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh denies allegations that the wing is an “agent” of Perikatan Nasional.
Dr Akmal said the wing was loyal to the party, stressing that even though Umno was part of the federal government, it would not waver in upholding the party’s values.
“We can have different opinions but it will not affect our loyalty.
“I have said this last year and will repeat it this year - Umno Youth can be friends with anyone.
“But if you touch on our religion, race or royals, we will stand up and fight you to the end,” he said in his speech at the Umno Youth general assembly here on Thursday (Aug 22).
He said Umno Youth sentiments reflected that of the grassroots.
“Umno cannot be too comfortable with just completing the government.
“It has to return to dominance in the country
“Instead of 26, we need to restore Umno’s two-thirds representation in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said, referring to the number of elected Umno MPs in Parliament.
Dr Akmal also said the wing would continue to speak out against issues that went against the party’s principles.
“Do you still remember the issues involving socks, brewery donations to schools, Blackrock, allocations to religious schools and local rice supplies?
“These are among the issues that were close to the Malays and Muslims in the county.
“Who spoke up on it? Umno Youth,” he said
He said their approach even led to them receiving death threats.
“We are never afraid as those are our principles,” he said.
