PETALING JAYA, March 22 — Umno Youth chief Dr. Akmal Saleh has called for Umno and PAS to cooperate in the upcoming Melaka state election, citing the weakening influence of Malay parties due to community divisions.
Speaking on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, the Merlimau assemblyman said unity between the two largest Malay-Muslim parties is essential, even if Umno must concede certain seats to PAS.
And stressed that core Malay-Bumiputera voters in rural areas are most concerned about political fragmentation. Akmal also rejected claims that he is anti-Chinese, clarifying that his opposition is directed at DAP’s politics rather than the Chinese community.
He noted that he maintains cordial relations with DAP politicians in government, emphasizing that his confrontational style is defensive rather than offensive, and called for a move away from race-based political arguments to focus on unity and effective governance.
