MELAKA: UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said he will abide by the decisions made by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh regarding the positions he currently holds.
He said this was because both parties had previously selected him to contest as a Melaka state assemblyman and to serve as the Melaka rural development, agriculture and food security executive councillor.
"Insya-Allah, let us wait… because whatever it is, I believe the authority of the Honourable Chief Minister of Melaka lies with him to choose me as an Exco member, and therefore I must comply and also follow what has been said.
"And the authority of the (Umno) president is that of a party president who chose me to represent the party to contest in the (state) election, so these are two individuals whose consent and views I need to obtain before I announce anything," he told reporters when met outside the Melaka Court Mediation Centre here on Monday (Jan 12).
He was attending the mediation process following a defamation suit filed against him in 2024 by Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok.
Meanwhile, Muhamad Akmal, in a post on his Facebook social media page, said his intentions and heartfelt thoughts had been conveyed to Ab Rauf at the Chief Minister's Office the same day.
He said Ab Rauf was the individual responsible for introducing UMNO's struggle to him since his days as a student leader and had taught him much about leadership and the spirit of struggle.
"Thank you, I am unable to repay, one by one, the services and knowledge you have given me. I am proud to be able to serve alongside you," he said. - Bernama
