{
  "id": 6545320,
  "title": "Akmal Saleh: Umno Youth ready to work with PAS in Melaka, state is next test for Malay-Muslim unity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/akmal-saleh-umno-youth-ready-to-work-with-pas-in-melaka-state-is-next-6545320",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T05:06:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/10/akmal-saleh-umno-youth-ready-to-work-with-pas-in-melaka-state-is-next-test-for-malay-muslim-unity/234680"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the Merlimau assemblyman and Umno Youth leader, expressed his readiness to collaborate with PAS during the upcoming Melaka state election. Saleh believes that young voters in Melaka can contribute to another electoral triumph for the coalition. He emphasized that Melaka represents a pivotal test for the concept of \"penyatuan ummah,\" or unity among Malay-Muslim political parties, stating that it transcends mere rhetoric and must be translated into a tangible electoral strategy. The Merlimau assemblyman remarked that Johor and Negri Sembilan have already decided to align with this vision, and he urged Datuk Seri Zahid to ensure that Melaka follows suit. According to Saleh, Umno Youth is prepared to replicate the success it achieved among young voters in Johor and Negri Sembilan during the 2021 state elections. The Umno Youth chief reiterated that he does not seek election himself if PN were to field a candidate in Melaka. However, he firmly believes that Zahid would not wish to witness the Umno Youth chief abstaining from the contest. He pledged his support to Zahid, highlighting his commitment to working alongside the BN chairman. The discussions regarding potential cooperation between Umno and BN have been ongoing within both parties. Zahid had announced earlier this month that he had granted Melaka Chief Minister and state BN chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh the authority to negotiate cooperation with any party, with the eventual partner expected to be one that could assist BN in retaining power. The Melaka state assembly's tenure expires in December, and BN secured 21 out of 28 seats in the 2021 state election, compared to five seats won by Pakatan Harapan and two by Perikatan Nasional. During the Umno Youth general assembly, Saleh warmly welcomed PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib, acknowledging the three years of discussions between the two youth wings on national issues. He highlighted the importance of their pursuit of Malay-Muslim political unity, which predates the recent Johor and Negri Sembilan elections, where Umno and PAS had already achieved results through cooperation.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Umno Youth is ready to work with PAS in the coming Melaka state election and believes its...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "PAS Youth chief shows up at Umno Youth assembly",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/pas-youth-chief-shows-up-at-umno-youth-assembly",
        "published": "2026-09-10T02:19:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Umno Youth gains nearly 17,000 new members in seven months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/umno-youth-gains-nearly-17-000-new-members-in-seven-months",
        "published": "2026-09-10T03:51:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Akmal Saleh: Umno Youth ready to work with PAS in Melaka, state is next test for Malay-Muslim unity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/akmal-saleh-umno-youth-ready-to-work-with-pas-in-melaka-state-is-next",
        "published": "2026-09-10T05:06:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "Umno Youth wants GST back, Akmal floats 'Anwar Tax' rebrand",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/umno-youth-wants-gst-back-akmal-floats-anwar-tax-rebrand",
        "published": "2026-09-10T05:45:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}