KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says that he respects the decision of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh to step down from his position as a Melaka exco member.
The Umno president said the decision would allow him to go to the ground and mobilise the youth machinery nationwide.
"Perhaps with this, Akmal will have enough time and space to go down to the grassroots, especially to all the divisions.
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"There are 191 Youth divisions nationwide. Hopefully, this will be an opportunity for him to go down and mobilise the Youth machinery," he told reporters at the sidelines of the Umno General Assembly here on Thursday (Jan 15).
Earlier, Muhamad Akmal announced his resignation from the exco, effective next week.
When asked whether Akmal's decision was based on the outcome of his meeting or a personal one, Ahmad Zahid said it was personal.
When pressed on whether it would pressure the Melaka state government, the Umno president said the Melaka Chief Minister was aware of Akmal's decision.
"I don't think it is a form of pressure as the Melaka Chief Minister will know what to do next," said Ahmad Zahid.
The Merlimau assemblyman said he was stepping aside from his post as Melaka Exco to “fight DAP to the end”.
