KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth elected representatives risk being dropped as candidates in future elections if they neglect the party’s struggle, become arrogant, or remain unreachable to their constituents, warns Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh.
The Umno Youth chief issued the stern reminder to the wing’s 11 assemblymen and MPs during his opening address at the Umno Youth annual general assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Sept 10).
"Do not think you are better than others or grow arrogant toward your own family," Dr Akmal said. "You are not great simply because you are an elected representative. You are there because every single person in this room worked to help you win."
Stressing that no individual is bigger than the party, Dr Akmal cautioned that he would not hesitate to replace any representative whose personal priorities overshadow Umno's core principles.
"If any of you prioritise other matters over the party's struggle, I will not hesitate to drop you as a candidate in the next election. We go through the good and the bad together," he emphasised.
Dr Akmal also urged grassroots members to hold their leaders accountable and directly report any elected representatives who fail to perform their duties or are too timid to advocate for their people.
"Let us know, and we will ensure they are not nominated again. If there are representatives who are afraid to speak up, tell me, and I will address it with them personally," he said, reminding the assembly that elected positions belong to the rakyat and serve the collective goals of the party rather than individual ambitions.
