Kisah 2 pemimpin muda

Two young leaders showcased their differing political styles ahead of the PRN Melaka elections. Although neither aspired to become the state's chief minister, Adam Adli from PKR and Dr Akmal Saleh from Umno could be seen as the faces of the future for their respective parties. Adam demonstrated a progressive and inclusive approach, however, he remained steadfast in his principles.

Adam previously served as a detained student leader and faced pressure from the previous government. He then chose to join a multi-ethnic party, progressing from PKR Youth Leader to Minister of Higher Education after winning the Hang Tuah Jaya parliamentary seat. Although he has been criticized for failing to cancel PTPTN loans, I personally view his efforts to ensure the benefits of national development are accessible to all, including the less fortunate.

In contrast, Akmal from Umno is known for his confrontational approach. While their ages differ by only a year, their political methods are vastly different. I believe Akmal's political record is marred by controversies, but such tactics may have their own appeal among certain groups, including certain factions. Last week, he again lost a defamation suit when the Melaka High Court ruled in favor of Teresa Kok over her September 2024 statement criticizing him for questioning the mandatory halal certification proposal.

Kok was awarded damages of RM250,000, plus RM50,000 in costs. Akmal previously claimed to be a Nyonya matriarch and proposed that non-halal logos not be placed on her, and now he has said he is willing to relinquish his DUN Merlimau seat in the PRN Melaka on November 14 if the court case against him under Section 505(b) of the Sedition Act hampers Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) chances.

He has been charged with making statements via Facebook that allegedly cause public alarm or distress, or disrupt public order, related to a video and Facebook post around August 11, 2025 showing the inverted Malaysian flag. Akmal claimed he had already conveyed his stance to Umno President Zahid Hamidi and emphasized that party interests must take precedence over his personal aspirations.

However, this is merely the latest controversy involving an influential politician positioning himself as a champion for specific interests. Previously, Akmal has faced defamation lawsuits from relatives. In 2024, he urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to sack Housing, Culture and Arts Minister Tiong King Sing following the recognition of a national dish, Bak Kut Teh.

In the same year, a controversy over a vernacular school saw him make statements suggesting P Ramasamy was drunk. And of course, Akmal spearheaded a boycott campaign against KK Mart after finding the word "Allah" printed on products in its chain of general stores. Whether such political approaches benefit or harm is up to the reader to decide.

Adam, on the other hand, opted for a more subdued approach to building consensus. His concern for all Malaysians does not make him any less Malay or Muslim. In fact, such a response is a common misinterpretation in Malaysian society. Throughout his service in the Ministry of Higher Education and Youth and Sports, Adam championed several initiatives benefiting the general public, including relief measures for PTPTN loan repayments.

Under the 2027 budget measures, borrowers earning between RM2,501 and RM3,000 per month would be required to pay a minimum of RM50 per month, while those earning less than RM2,500 per month would be exempt from repayment. Other initiatives include My50 and MyKomuter50 travel subsidies, as well as FlySiswa RM500 airfare subsidies for students commuting between the mainland and Sabah and Sarawak.

Adam also promoted technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to improve graduate employability and supported the revival of the Rakan Muda program for youth development. He has also been involved in infrastructure and welfare projects in Hang Tuah Jaya, including flood mitigation efforts in the affected area. Above all, I believe a leader with such an inclusive approach is needed if we wish to stop repeating the same problems without moving forward.

Martin Vengadesan, a former editor who now serves as strategic communications advisor to the Communications Ministry, is the author of this article and it reflects his personal opinion and not necessarily that of FMT.