Defending Malay interests does not mean oppressing other races, says Akmal

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh today stressed that efforts to unite the Malay community and defend its interests should not be seen as marginalising other races. — Picture by Yusof Isa

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 11 Sep 2026 10:01 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh today stressed that efforts to unite the Malay community and defend its interests should not be seen as marginalising other races.

He said Barisan Nasional’s track record demonstrated that diverse parties could coexist while maintaining their own identities, The Star reported.

“Barisan Nasional is living proof of this. MCA has never lost its Chinese identity, nor has MIC lost its Indian identity, and the same goes for PBRS. Umno upholds its principles without infringing on others,” he told delegates during his policy speech at the Umno Youth general assembly.

Akmal urged members to set aside past grievances with other parties, including PAS, in order to focus on broader unity. 

He also rejected claims that Umno was being “politically flirtatious” in its dealings with other parties.

“We do not have to be like PAS, and PAS too can remain as PAS. Mature unity allows us to manage differences with wisdom,” he was quoted as saying.

Akmal further emphasised that the drive to unite the ummah stemmed from Umno’s core principles rather than recent state election dynamics.