KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has resigned from his post a Melaka executive council member.
When speaking at the Umno Youth assembly, Dr Akmal said that his resignation would take effect next week.
He is currently the Melaka rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman.
“I would like to apologise but with this (resignation) it is to show that I bring forward the voice of the party grassroots.
“I will resign from the post as the Melaka exco but I will not leave Umno Youth,” he told the delegates at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here, on Thursday (Jan 15).
The Merlimau assemblyman said he was stepping aside from his post as Melaka exco to “fight DAP to the end”.
Dr Akmal also shared that he had discussed his resignation with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof, and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“They told me that fighters will not leave their friends.
“That's why today, I want to tell you proudly that because I have brought the people's concerns that I cannot sit in DAP.
“I have to agree with the party's decision to remain with the unity government until the end but I have to listen to the party grassroots,” he added.
His announcement prompted the delegates to urge the Youth chief to withdraw his resignation.
On Jan 7, it was reported that DAP Youth has reiterated its call for Dr Akmal to step down to prove he is a man of principles following his calls for Umno to withdraw from the unity government.
Akmal had also previously hinted at stepping down from his post as Umno Youth chief after his same comments drew a negative reaction from the Umno president.
On Jan 12, Akmal said in a post on his Facebook page that his intentions and heartfelt thoughts had been conveyed to Ab Rauf at the Chief Minister's Office.
He said that Ab Rauf was the individual who introduced him to Umno's struggle during his days as a student leader and had guided him on leadership and the spirit of struggle.
