KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has fired back at claims he is a “chess pawn” of senior party leaders, declaring he answers to no one but Umno.
This follows remarks by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who reportedly said that Akmal is a chess pawn of Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Recently, a PAS leader came to Melaka to deliver a talk, where we thought he would talk about what the party could offer if it governed Melaka.
“Instead, he claimed that I am Zahid’s chess pawn and that Khairy Jamaluddin is my boss.
“I want to make it clear that I am not a chess pawn. I do not belong to Zahid Hamidi, to the deputy president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan), nor to Khairy.
“I belong to Umno, and I am an Umno man,” he said in his speech at Umno’s 80th anniversary celebration held at the World Trade Centre on Saturday (May 2).
Meanwhile, Akmal added that Umno cannot be rigid and must step out of its comfort zone if it wants to attract the younger generation.
He said the party must change its approach in engaging voters, particularly young people, and move beyond outdated methods of political communication.
“We can no longer rely on past approaches, as younger voters today expect leaders who are more accessible, relatable and willing to engage with them directly, including in digital spaces.
“We cannot use approaches from 80 years ago to reach young people today. We cannot use old language to answer new challenges in the age of TikTok,” he said.
He said Umno must actively reach out to young people rather than assume they would automatically support the party.
“Do not assume young people will come to us just because we are Umno. In the past, yes, but not anymore,” he said.
“The landscape has changed and if we do not adapt, young people will not come to us,” he said.
