JOHOR BARU: Umno Youth is calling for calm and urges all parties not to read too much into the statement on Malay unity made by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
Umno Youth vice-chief Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said the statement needed to be assessed rationally and maturely in line with the principle of freedom of expression, without being influenced by emotions or unfounded speculation.
"Do not respond emotionally to opinions to the extent that it carries a wrong and inaccurate meaning.
"All parties, including political leaders and party communication machinery, are urged not to make any provocative statements or make speculation that could worsen the situation and create misunderstanding," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 7), Sinar Harian reported.
On Saturday (Jan 3), Dr Muhamad Akmal said Umno and PAS should form a partnership for Malay unity.
Mohd Hairi, who is also the Johor youth and sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman, said mature politics requires all parties to prioritise facts, decorum and shared responsibility to ensure harmony and stability in the country.
The Larkin assemblyman also said Umno Youth remains committed to ensuring that the party's leadership is stable, united and continues to focus on the agenda of defending the interests of the people, as well as strengthening the country's political stability.
"Party members, supporters and the public are reminded not to be influenced by attempts to sway perception and half-truths that can undermine the people's confidence in political institutions," he said.
Mohd Hairi also said it is the joint responsibility of all parties to ensure that the country's political discourse remains healthy, ethical and does not create tension that could destabilise the country.
"Umno Youth will continue to stand firm in defending the truth, rejecting slander and contributing to a more mature, harmonious political atmosphere," he said.
Dr Muhamad Akmal recently said on social media that it could be time for him to step down.
DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) earlier said Dr Muhamad Akmal should step down and leave the unity government as he had suggested.
The wing said his view contradicted Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's statement that the party would remain with the unity government.
