KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has issued a bold challenge to allies within Pakatan Harapan, daring them to dismiss all Umno representatives from government positions if they are serious about confronting the party.
The Umno Youth chief said recent calls by Pakatan-linked leaders to remove specific Umno figures suggested the party was being treated as if it could be pressured, directed and selectively punished.
“DAPSY (DAP youth) leaders want Tok Mat (Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) to be sacked, and in Selangor, PKR wants an Umno representative removed.
“This is as though Umno can be threatened, ordered around and picked out for punishment,” he said in his speech at the Umno 80th anniversary celebration here on Saturday (May 2).
“If they are truly brave, don’t just pick one or two. Sack all Umno ministers. Sack all Umno deputy ministers. Sack all Umno exco members.
“Only then will the people see who is truly afraid of Umno’s principles. If you want to fight, then let’s fight properly,” he added.
Akmal stressed that while Umno may face political setbacks, its core values would not be compromised under pressure from either allies or opponents.
“Umno can lose seats, Umno can lose positions, Umno can be pressured by friends and foes, but Umno will never allow its principles to be pawned.
“Whoever we work with, when principles are violated, dignity is challenged and red lines are crossed, Umno will stand firm and fight,” he said.
He described Umno as a resilient party that has endured decades of political challenges, insisting its survival was rooted in its steadfast principles.
“This is the strength of Umno, the dignity we carry. There may be those who want to destroy or bring down Umno, but on the strength of our principles, Umno has endured for 80 years and will continue to endure,” he said.
Recently, DAPSY had urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to sack Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan over allegations of involvement in efforts to form a “backdoor” government in Negri Sembilan.
In Selangor, PKR state election director Dr Sathia Prakash had also called for Umno’s Selangor exco Datuk Rizam Ismail to be removed, following claims that Umno was attempting to topple the PKR-led Negri Sembilan government.
