Akmal’s use of principle only a political weapon, says analyst

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s claim that working with PAS is more consistent with the party’s principles may backfire if Umno fails to explain its continued participation in the unity government, says a political analyst.

While Akmal had every right to criticise the government, he lacked credibility in using “Umno’s principles” as the basis for rejecting Pakatan Harapan and DAP, said Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting.

“If Umno’s principle is that it cannot work with DAP, why is Umno still in the federal government, where DAP is one of the component parties?” he told FMT.

On Thursday, Akmal said at the Umno Youth general assembly that PH had repeatedly tested Umno’s principles, dignity, and Malay-Muslim sensitivities, making cooperation with PAS the more suitable option.

“When people ask why Umno moved towards (cooperation with) PAS, don’t ask Umno. Ask PH why they made Umno choose between power and principles,” he said.

He said Umno-Barisan Nasional had been prepared to remain in the opposition after the 2022 general election resulted in a hung Parliament, but agreed to form the government with PH and other coalitions out of respect for the king’s wishes.

However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Akmal viewed such cooperation as a political choice rather than purely a matter of loyalty to the Malay rulers.

Azmi said Akmal and Umno Youth were clearly presenting cooperation with PAS as a political option, even though the party’s Supreme Council and top leadership had yet to make a final decision.

He said Akmal’s narrative also sought to suggest that although Umno was part of the government, its hands were tied because major policies were driven by PH, which is chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Zaharuddin said this was where Akmal’s “principle” argument became complicated, as compromise in a coalition government did not necessarily mean abandoning one’s principles.

“A principle used only to measure your opponents is no longer a principle. It becomes a political weapon,” he said.

Akmal had previously taken a hard line against DAP in Melaka, including resigning as a state executive councillor to “fight DAP”, while accepting Umno’s decision to remain in the unity government at federal level.

Zaharuddin said this difference must be explained clearly if Umno wanted voters to accept its argument on principle. “What is the difference between Melaka and Putrajaya? If the answer is political strategy, then say so,” he said.

He said Akmal’s criticism of the rising cost of living had some basis, but Umno could not simply criticise measures to address the issue without offering alternative policies, especially as it is also part of the government.

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