Malaysia

UMNO feud escalates as Akmal challenges Lokman to court — or the ring

Youth Chief Muhamad Akmal dares MKT member Lokman Noor Adam to settle allegations either through legal channels or a physical bout, sparking accusations of 'thuggish behaviour'

Updated 9 months ago · Published on 23 Aug 2025 3:10PM

UMNO feud escalates as Akmal challenges Lokman to court — or the ring
Dispute erupted after Lokman publicly referred to Akmal as “Ketua Pemuda H20”, implying allegiance to Hishammuddin — commonly associated with the “H2O” moniker - August 23, 2025

UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has issued a fiery ultimatum to Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam, challenging him to face off either in court or in the ring, following allegations that Akmal is secretly plotting to promote Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as Prime Minister.

The dispute erupted after Lokman publicly referred to Akmal as “Ketua Pemuda H20” during an interview, implying allegiance to Hishammuddin — commonly associated with the “H2O” moniker.

In response, Akmal released a video on Facebook on Saturday, saying Lokman now has “two choices.”

"You have two options. First, we battle it out in court. I will sue you. Second, if you’re too afraid to face me legally, then come here. Let’s settle it in the ring,” he said.

Lokman, however, fired back by criticising Akmal’s conduct as unbecoming of a senior party figure, accusing him of behaving like a “street thug” by inviting a physical altercation.

“He wants to take me to court? No problem. But not everyone behaves as childishly as Muhamad Akmal,” Lokman said. “He seems to forget he holds a position equivalent to UMNO Vice President, yet he’s acting like a roadside gangster.”

Lokman further claimed that Akmal was using his physical advantage — being younger, taller, and stronger — to intimidate an older man.

The internal rift adds to growing tensions within UMNO, with both men entrenched in an increasingly public and personal battle that threatens to spill over beyond party lines. - August 23, 2025

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