KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth members are not yes men and will continue being vocal out of love for the party, says the wing's chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh.
Muhammad Akmal said their tenacity does not translate into logging heads with party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi but were merely echoing sentiments on the ground.
“People always say I am picking a fight with the president as our views always differ. But I want to make this known - it is always the naughtiest child that loves their father the most.
“It is because this child cannot see their father being ridiculed and accused of things outside.
“If we truly support our president and party, we must tell him what is being felt by the grassroots and the rakyat,” he said when winding up debates at the Umno annual general assembly on Saturday (Jan 17).
Muhammad Akmal said Umno cannot afford to only speak about strengthening without taking the necessary measures internally.
“We must close ranks. Let us all unite in safeguarding our religion, race and country,” he said, adding that the party can no longer be in denial.
“After two losses in general elections, we cannot just be complacent saying we can bounce back.
“We need to ask ourselves if we are truly echoing what the rakyat feels and making their views heard.
“This is a painful conversation but one that is necessary to ensure our party not only strengthens but stands at the top of the podium,” he said.
He added that the party can no longer rely on its old strategies to ensure its revival.
“We can talk about how our ministers and state government heads are performing well. There is no doubt about this as the results speak for themselves.
“However, Datuk Seri Najib Razak (former Umno president and prime minister) also did everything for the rakyat.
“Yet, we still lost (in 2018). We must change,” he said.
Muhammad Akmal also expressed utmost respect for how Ahmad Zahid had managed the furore following an error by news portal Malaysiakini.
“Our president spoke with such calm while being stern. You have my respect,” he said.
