[UPDATED] PH pushed Umno towards Pas, says Umno Youth chief

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has claimed that Pakatan Harapan forced Umno towards Pas by consistently putting the party's principles, Malay community, and sensitivities surrounding Malays and Islam to the test. In his policy speech at the Umno Youth delegates conference in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Akmal expressed discontent with PH's repeated actions, urging them to question why they pushed Umno into this situation rather than accusing Umno itself.

Following the 15th General Election, Umno and Barisan Nasional were ready to remain in opposition but agreed to form the government out of respect for the King's wishes. Dr Akmal also raised concerns about whether PH demonstrated the same respect for royal views, pointing to the pig farming controversy in Selangor. The National Front coalition, comprising BN, PH, and other parties, formed a unity government following the hung Parliament in the November 2022 general election. Anwar Ibrahim, the PH chairman, was sworn in as Prime Minister on November 24 of that year.