Umno dekati PAS angkara PH, dakwa Akmal

Kuala Lumpur: Umno's Young Leader Dr Akmal Saleh accused Pakatan Harapan (PH) of pressuring Umno to choose between power and principle following PH's continuous pressure. "We have been tested too much by PH," Akmal stated during his keynote speech at the Umno Youth Conference held at the World Trade Centre (WTC). He questioned why PH made Umno choose between power and principle, instead of asking why Umno changed its stance after the 15th General Election.

Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) remains the opposition after the 15th General Election, but is willing to form a government to respect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's advice. Akmal raised concerns about PH's willingness to show the same respect towards the palace's view, referencing the controversy surrounding pig breeding in Selangor. The BN Chairman of Melaka, Ab Rauf Yusof, received a mandate to discuss cross-voting cooperation with any party for the PRN.

Zahid Hamidi, the President of Umno, said the chosen cooperation should be sincere and honest to enable BN to continue ruling the state for another term. Initially, Zahid stated that BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) would continue their partnership in the PRN Melaka following their victory in the 1st of August Penang election. However, the plan was seen collapsing after Zahid asserted that BN wanted to contest all 21 seats they won in the PRN Melaka, while PN insisted on discussing the matter further.

Melaka has 28 DUN seats, and BN won 21 seats to form the state government in the 2021 PRN. PH won five seats, and PN two. The BN term is scheduled to end on December 31.