This is Umno Youth’s stance, Akmal says on pledge to skip Melaka polls

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh declared the youth wing's rejection of collaboration with Pakatan Harapan (PH) at their convention earlier this year. Dr Akmal clarified that his pledge to avoid participating in the Melaka polls was based on the stance of Umno Youth, not as a representative of the assembly. He emphasized that the youth wing is resolute in its decision not to work with PH.

Dr Akmal, who represented Merlimau in the 2021 Melaka polls, stated that the youth wing's position was distinct from that of the central leadership. Last week, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hinted at the beginning of formal negotiations with PH on cooperation in the Melaka election following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.

Currently, BN is allied with PH in the unity government, while they have formed a pact with Perikatan Nasional (PN) for the Negeri Sembilan polls on August 1. The Melaka government term ends on December 31, with elections required to be held within 60 days of the dissolution. In January, Dr Akmal advocated for Umno to leave the unity government and called for the revival of Muafakat Nasional, the electoral pact between Umno and PAS in 2019 to strengthen the Malay-Muslim vote.

However, the party ultimately decided to remain within the unity government until its term concludes, and Dr Akmal respects this decision. Meanwhile, PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden announced plans for a gathering of Muslim unity with Umno before the 16th general election, expressing it as an open event for all races seeking peace, unity, and wellbeing.