[UPDATED] Move on from the past: Loke responds to Umno Youth’s apology demand

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has called on Umno Youth to move on from the past, following calls by the latter for the Pakatan Harapan component to apologise for supposedly issuing insults against Umno before.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Umno general assembly today, Loke suggested that it would be best for the party wing to set aside their differences since both Umno and DAP are now part of the unity government. 

“I agree with (Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s) policy speech where he called for past disagreements to be set aside for the sake of the nation. 

“If we keep on harping on this enmity, there will be no end. We have moved on since working together in the unity government for over six months,” he said when queried on Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s call for DAP to issue a public apology to his party.

Akmal had voiced the demand during the party wing’s general assembly yesterday, claiming that an apology from DAP to Umno will “soften the hearts” of Umno supporters for the upcoming polls set to be held in six states. 

Noting how Loke had previously apologised to Sarawak’s people and state government for any offensive statements that his party members had made, Akmal said that Umno should be afforded similar considerations. 

Subsequently, Zahid had dismissed Akmal’s assertions, saying that there was no need to push DAP for further apologies as the matter had already been settled during talks to form the unity government. 

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, however, had later backed Akmal’s suggestion, saying: “If it’s possible (for DAP to apologise to Umno), it would be good. Working together under the same government means that we must be magnanimous.”

Meanwhile, Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal congratulated Umno for the successful organisation of the party’s general assembly and offered his support for Zahid’s policy speech, reported Bernama.

“Zahid, in his presidential policy speech, addressed issues concerning the people’s interests. Congratulations,” he told reporters. 

Asked about Warisan’s cooperation in assisting the unity government in making preparations to face the upcoming state elections in Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, Shafie said the party had mobilised its machinery in the states involved.

Earlier in his policy speech, Zahid said Umno shoulders great responsibility to ensure the upcoming state elections in six states will result in the formation of state governments that complement the ruling federal unity government, reported Bernama.

He said success in the state elections is vital to strengthening the Islamic and Malay agenda supported by Putrajaya, besides bringing about major changes, mainly involving essential development in the states. – The Vibes, June 9, 2023