Akmal’s use of principle only a political weapon, says analyst

Dr Akmal Saleh, Umno Youth chief, argued that collaboration with PAS aligns more closely with the party's principles, potentially backfiring if Umno fails to explain its continued involvement in the unity government, according to political analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri. Zaharuddin pointed out that Akmal's use of "Umno's principles" to reject Pakatan Harapan and DAP lacked credibility, given Umno's presence in the federal government with DAP as a component party.

Akmal claimed at the Umno Youth general assembly that the People's Justice Party (PKR) had repeatedly tested Umno's principles, dignity, and Malay-Muslim sensitivities, making cooperation with PAS a more suitable option. He stated that when people ask why Umno chose cooperation with PAS, they should ask the government why it forced Umno to choose between power and principles.

Former Umno leader Azmi Hassan believed Akmal viewed cooperation as a political decision rather than a loyalty matter to Malay rulers. Azmi suggested Akmal and Umno Youth were presenting cooperation with PAS as a political choice, despite the Supreme Council and top leadership still needing to decide. He also argued that Akmal's narrative suggested Umno was trapped in the government due to PH's influence, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Zaharuddin argued that Akmal's principle-based argument became complicated, as coalition compromises did not mean abandoning one's principles. He said that using a principle solely to measure opponents turned it into a political weapon. Akmal had previously taken a hard stance against DAP, including resigning as a state executive councillor to oppose them, while accepting Umno's decision to remain in the unity government at the federal level.

Zaharuddin emphasized the need to explain the difference between Umno's actions in Melaka and Putrajaya if voters were to accept the principle-based argument.