Akmal says PH drove Umno towards PAS

Dr Akmal Saleh, the Umno Youth chief, asserted at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur that the party was pushed towards potential collaboration with PAS due to persistent interference from Pakatan Harapan (PH). The Malaysian politician contended that Umno faced undue pressure from PH to choose between holding power and adhering to its core principles.

In his policy speech during the wing's assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Akmal posed a question to PH, asking why the opposition party had driven Umno to a point where it needed to cooperate with PAS. He argued that instead of questioning Umno's decision to engage with PAS, the focus should be on why PH made such an influential choice.

The Umno leader also touched upon the 15th general election, stating that while Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) was prepared to remain in opposition, they agreed to form the government out of respect for the king's wishes. Akmal questioned whether PH demonstrated the same respect for royal views, citing the ongoing controversy surrounding pig farming in Selangor.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who serves as Umno's president, revealed that Melaka BN chief Ab Rauf Yusof had been granted the mandate to negotiate electoral cooperation with any party for the upcoming state election. Zahid stated that the partner chosen for cooperation should be sincere and honest to ensure that BN continues to lead the state government for another term.

Initially, Zahid hinted that BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) would continue their alliance in the Melaka polls following their convincing victory in the Negeri Sembilan election on August 1. However, tensions arose when Zahid claimed that BN intended to contest the 21 seats they won in the previous Melaka election, while PN maintained that negotiations were still ongoing. Melaka boasts 28 state seats.

The state government's term is set to conclude on December 31.