Latest news with #DrAkmalSaleh
Free Malaysia Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Student activist, Akmal set for July 1 debate after caricature burning
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh had criticised students who burned a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at an anti-corruption rally on Saturday. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A student activist has taken up Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh's offer to meet for a debate after the latter criticised students who recently burned a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, describing them as 'cowardly and stupid'. Akmal yesterday hit out at rally-goers who set a caricature of Anwar on fire at an anti-corruption rally in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday, labelling such acts disrespectful. He had issued an invitation to any student unhappy with his remarks to arrange a meeting with him. In response, student activist Fakhrurrazzi Khairur Rijal today said he had accepted Akmal's invitation and had agreed to his proposal to meet at 9pm on July 1 for a debate. 'The dignity of students and the freedom of expression must be defended. We are not afraid to speak the truth,' said the National Youth Federation of Malaysia coordinator in a statement. Youth NGO Mandiri and student group Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia are helping coordinate the event, with the venue to be announced on their official social media channels. Fakrurrazzi also said he remains open to the head of PKR Youth, Kamil Munim, joining the July 1 debate alongside Akmal. He said the meeting was crucial to defend the dignity of students and their right to freedom of expression, which had been increasingly challenged by the rhetoric of political leaders. Kamil, who is also Anwar's aide at the finance ministry, previously criticised the student protesters in Sabah who burned Anwar's caricature, describing the incident as excessive and rude. The Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, organised by several Universiti Malaysia Sabah students, ended with the burning of the caricature. More than 100 people took part in the protest to call for action over the Sabah water department scandal. Police are investigating the burning of the caricature under the Sedition Act and Penal Code.
Free Malaysia Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Akmal hits out at rally-goers who set PM's caricature on fire
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said being courageous in speaking up 'does not mean decency has to take a back seat'. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has hit out at rally-goers who set a caricature of the prime minister on fire at a gathering held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, over the weekend, labelling such acts disrespectful. 'Just as we were enraged when images of our past national leaders were treated with such scorn, so too must we be upset with those who do the same with our current leaders, even if they are from opposing parties,' he said in a Facebook post this evening. While Akmal did not elaborate on the past incidents, posters of then Umno president Najib Razak and his PAS counterpart, Abdul Hadi Awang, were reportedly stomped on by participants of a Bersih rally in 2015. And in September the same year, effigies of DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang and his son, then Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, were burnt at an event in Kelantan, to counter the Bersih 4 gathering. Akmal criticised the students involved in the Sabah incident, saying that while they needed to be bold in fighting for a cause, it did not mean they had to be 'stupid and rude'. 'Being courageous (in speaking up) does not mean decency has to take a back seat,' he said. The Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, organised by several Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students over the weekend, ended with the burning of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's caricature. Earlier tonight, a Sabah PKR leader said he was puzzled over why the participants protesting the water woes plaguing UMS had resorted to such action. Razeef Rakimin pointed out that Anwar had previously announced an allocation of RM3 million to resolve the water supply disruptions at the university. He also labelled the burning of Anwar's caricature a 'desperate stunt'.
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Akmal rejects Mahathir's ‘Malay unity' offer
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has questioned the motive behind former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for Malay unity. PETALING JAYA : Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has turned down former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's invitation to join his new Malay unity alliance, claiming that Umno has not forgotten Mahathir's alleged attempt to undermine the party. Akmal noted that Mahathir, who is now calling for Malay unity, had once allegedly tried to ban Umno while in power. 'Thank you. We appreciate the offer. But we remember what happened,' Akmal said in a Facebook post. 'Now that he no longer holds office, his tune has changed,' Akmal said. He also questioned the motives behind the call for unity, warning that it should not be used to serve personal interests. 'If we're serious about uniting the Malays, it must come from sincere intentions rooted in love for our religion and race — not from a desire for personal gain,' he added. Yesterday, Mahathir said he will invite Umno members to join his new Malay unity alliance in an effort to 'restore Malay power' in the government. He stressed, however, that he was not inviting Umno as a party to join the alliance. The group, which includes PAS and Bersatu, is not a political party but a coalition aimed at protecting the political and economic future of the Malays, he said. Last August, Mahathir, a former Umno president, denied an allegation by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that he (Mahathir) tried to have the party banned.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘He came uninvited': Umno Youth chief mocks Tengku Zafrul's exit, urges him to quit Cabinet too
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has yesterday urged Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz to also resign from his Cabinet post if he wishes to jump ship to PKR. In a Facebook post, Dr Akmal sarcastically applauded Tengku Zafrul's move and said the departure is much welcomed by Umno members. 'He should have resigned as a minister as well,' he wrote, referring to an attached link to the news of Tengku Zafrul's announcement. 'And to PKR, may you accept Tengku Zafrul's application to join PKR, which would then serve as proof of the 'loyal' friendship between Umno and PKR.' Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul said he has resigned from Umno and announced plans to apply for membership in political ally PKR. The investment, trade and industry minister is also vacating his seat on the Umno Supreme Council as well as his position as its Kota Raja division chief. Dr Akmal claimed that Umno members have been overjoyed by the news of Tengku Zafrul's announcement. 'He came uninvited, and his departure is not mourned. Umno is a party for all of us,' he wrote. Tengku Zafrul previously said that he had joined Umno back in 1997. He served as CIMB Group chief executive for six years before resigning from his post after being appointed senator and the country's finance minister in 2020. He had contested the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in the 15th general election but was defeated by Parti Amanah Negara's Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Malay Mail
31-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘He came uninvited': Umno Youth chief mocks Tengku Zafrul's exit, urges him to quit Cabinet too
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has yesterday urged Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz to also resign from his Cabinet post if he wishes to jump ship to PKR. In a Facebook post, Dr Akmal sarcastically applauded Tengku Zafrul's move and said the departure is much welcomed by Umno members. 'He should have resigned as a minister as well,' he wrote, referring to an attached link to the news of Tengku Zafrul's announcement. 'And to PKR, may you accept Tengku Zafrul's application to join PKR, which would then serve as proof of the 'loyal' friendship between Umno and PKR.' Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul said he has resigned from Umno and announced plans to apply for membership in political ally PKR. The investment, trade and industry minister is also vacating his seat on the Umno Supreme Council as well as his position as its Kota Raja division chief. Dr Akmal claimed that Umno members have been overjoyed by the news of Tengku Zafrul's announcement. 'He came uninvited, and his departure is not mourned. Umno is a party for all of us,' he wrote. Tengku Zafrul previously said that he had joined Umno back in 1997. He served as CIMB Group chief executive for six years before resigning from his post after being appointed senator and the country's finance minister in 2020. He had contested the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in the 15th general election but was defeated by Parti Amanah Negara's Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
