Kritikan Pejuang isu dana RM50 juta Najib tak jejas kerjasama Umno-PAS

Analysts stated that criticism of the RM50 million pledge was predominantly voiced by those opposing Umno and Najib Razak. In Petaling Jaya, Akmal Yusoff, the Deputy Chief of Youth Pejuang, viewed his personal viewpoint on the issue as separate from the official stance of the party. Azmi Hassan, Professor Emeritus of National University, noted that comparing the pledge to Najib's funding with disaster relief donations was premature without evidence that the solidarity fund should distribute the relevant amount to disaster victims.

He said the criticism of the RM50 million pledge was mostly coming from those opposing Umno and Najib. Azmi, on the other hand, saw the Najib issue potentially strengthening ties between Umno and PAS, especially as both parties appear to share similar views on the National Prosecution Department's actions in the former prime minister's case.

According to him, similarities in the positions and strategies of both parties could potentially strengthen their cooperation rather than undermine it. "Cooperation between Umno and PAS. Even though PAS represents PN, the cooperation is only between Umno and PAS. It has nothing to do with Pejuang, Gerakan, MIPP or Wawasan," he told FMT.

Azmi discussed Akmal's comments questioning the importance of political struggle after Umno managed to gather RM50 million through the solidarity fund to pay Najib's fine within less than two months. Akmal claimed the success of the fundraising campaign should be acknowledged, but the approach should also be utilized to help those in need, particularly during times of hardship caused by flooding.

Meanwhile, Mazlan Ali from the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) stated that Akmal's remarks reflect his personal viewpoint as a youth leader and not the official stance of Pejuang. He said this view might also reflect the sentiment of some younger segments questioning the importance of political parties when people are facing hardships.

However, he noted that Akmal is not the main voice with significant influence in determining the direction of Pejuang's politics or its relations with Umno. "I feel the Pejuang leader will not respond and Umno will not take action because not everyone shares the same viewpoint," he said. Lau Zhe Wei from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) added that individual opinions within the party will not change political cooperation as long as they are not official decisions or party positions to maintain cooperation.

He emphasized that current political leaders are more mature in distinguishing personal opinions from party decisions to maintain cooperation. "So, in my view, it will not have an impact," he said.