KUALA LUMPUR – Embattled Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak may be two of the most prominent lawmakers facing graft charges, but an Umno Youth leader has nothing but high praises for the duo.
In a rousing debate during the Umno general assembly, Merlimau assemblyman Muhammad Akmal Saleh, who is representing Umno Youth, described Zahid as a gentleman – to rousing applause – and Najib a true hero.
Referring to Najib as “the one and only bossku”, Akmal commended the former prime minister for being selfless in not involving other party members in his legal battles.
He said this is in stark contrast to another “specific party” that called on party grassroots to take to the streets when its leader was charged in court.
While no names were mentioned, this is in an apparent reference to PKR, when thousands joined street protests in the past when its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was arrested and imprisoned.
“Honestly, he (Najib) is the true Umno hero. He has never made use of the youth, dragging the party to the streets for his own interest,” he said at the Umno headquarters here today.
“If we look at the other party, when its leader was charged, they thronged the streets. But bossku (Najib) is not like that. He is steady. He fights alone.”
Akmal, who is Melaka Umno Youth vice-chief, meanwhile, heaped praise for party president Zahid for not being a vindictive person.
He recalled uploading a Facebook post after the 2018 general election, criticising “political dinosaurs” where he said Zahid had wrongly interpreted to imply him.
“I wasn’t directing (the post) to anyone. I apologise if he was offended. But our president was cool and relaxed. Although he was offended by my post, he was never vengeful.
“If he was, certainly Umno Youth would not have been given more seats during the recent Melaka election, and I wouldn’t have been made a candidate.
“This is the value of the greatness of our president. This is Umno’s true Mr Gentleman,” he said to a rousing applause from the delegates.
In November, Akmal handily won Merlimau, beating his opponents from PAS and Amanah. – The Vibes, March 19, 2022
