{
  "id": 18226768,
  "title": "Dr Solehin says brother Dr Akmal opens doors on Bemban campaign trail",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/dr-solehin-says-brother-dr-akmal-opens-doors-on-bemban-campaign-trail",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T01:27:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1571157/dr-solehin-says-brother-dr-akmal-opens-doors-bemban-campaign-trail"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jasin, the candidate for Bemban, revealed that his younger brother, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the Umno Youth chief, had assisted him in connecting with rural Malay voters. Dr Solehin explained that being Dr Akmal's elder brother had provided them with advantages during the campaign, particularly when engaging with rural and elderly Malay voters. He added that he did not deliberately leverage his brother's popularity, but their familial relationship acted as an icebreaker. Dr Solehin acknowledged that Dr Akmal possessed considerable influence, especially among Malays, and that their familial connection was an undeniable fact, but not a deliberate strategy. When asked about the divergence in their political stances, Dr Solehin stated that their ideologies were vastly different, although there existed no animosity between them. The two brothers, who grew up in an Umno family, now maintain a politics-free household environment. Dr Solehin, who is perceived as moderate and centrist, emphasized that his political perspective is rooted in color-blindness, focusing on the shared struggles of Malays, Chinese, and Indians in healthcare and eldercare. He pledged to replicate his brother's low-cost \"Ambulans Marhaen\" initiative and provide free home medical visits in Bemban, where a significant portion of the population comprises senior citizens or those nearing old age, many living alone while their adult children are working elsewhere.",
  "summary": "JASIN: Bersama’s Bemban candidate Dr Solehin Saleh said his younger brother, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, had helped him engage rural Malay voters.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}