KUALA LUMPUR – It is better to be in a “forced marriage” with former political foes than cooperate with parties that are unfaithful, an Umno leader said.
This was the message from Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh in response to critics who likened the unity government to strange bedfellows forced into companionship.
Speaking at the unity government national convention, Akmal noted the number of people from past generations who took part in arranged marriages that have proven to last, as opposed to couples that had years-long relationships that crumbled due to disloyalty.
“Many say we are forced into a marriage. I would like to mention here that many of our parents and grandparents did not even know each other when they got married in the past,” he said during a dialogue session comprising unity government youth party leaders here today.
“If you’re in love for 10 years, but in your first year of marriage, the guy cheated, what for? I would like to ask mothers out there, do you want a loyal or disloyal husband?” he asked, to roars of “loyal”.
While not mentioning specific parties, Akmal is ostensibly referring to PAS, the former Umno ally that was once a component of Muafakat Nasional (MN).
The relationship between the two outfits deteriorated after the party decided to join the Bersatu-led Perikatan Nasional while still formally allied with Umno in MN.
Elaborating further, Akmal said there is no problem if parties within the government have differences as long as these are managed accordingly.
He believes that the key to ensuring the longevity of the unity government is that all components should respect, understand and trust each other.
Earlier in his speech, Akmal also noted how leaders of the respective parties have been able to set aside past rivalries for the sake of the rakyat.
To prove his point, Akmal recalled how PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim had, over 10 years ago, taken down a flag bearing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s face at the Umno’s headquarters here, infuriating many party members.
“We were so angry at the time. Had we met him then, we would have ripped his face off. But this is God’s greatness because when we sit here together today, the feeling of anger towards Adam has gone.”
Akmal’s comment was in reference to an incident in 2011 when Adam, then a student at the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, lowered the flag to stress the point that the situation in the country then was worsening.
Adam was present in the same hall when Akmal made his remarks.
Separately, Akmal apologised to Amanah for previously criticising party president Mohamad Sabu over the appointment of Pakatan Harapan politicians to head five main agencies under his Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
“To my friends in Amanah, I humbly apologise. After this, our job is to develop this country with better politics and approach.”
In a recent interview with Sinar Harian, Akmal said that the political appointments falling under Mohamad’s ministry go against the principles promoted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – The Vibes, May 14, 2023
