KUALA LUMPUR, January 15 – Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh announced today that he will step down from his position as Melaka State Executive Councillor for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security effective next week, but will continue to serve as Umno Youth chief.
Speaking at the Umno Youth annual assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Akmal said the decision was made to reflect grassroots concerns over Umno’s cooperation with DAP, stressing that relinquishing a government post did not mean abandoning the party’s struggle.
Akmal said he had discussed his resignation with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, adding that he was advised to remain in his Youth leadership role.
He emphasised that dignity, principles and representing grassroots voices mattered more than holding office, and vowed to continue challenging DAP, which he accused of repeatedly provoking Umno despite being an ally in the unity government.
The Merlimau assemblyman also urged Umno to be honest about its political challenges, saying some of its “enemies” were within the government itself, a thinly veiled reference to DAP. While accepting the top leadership’s decision to stay in the unity government for now.
Akmal called on Youth delegates to openly debate the party’s direction and use the assembly as a platform to voice grassroots dissatisfaction if they believed Umno’s current position should be reconsidered.
