Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh’s claim that working with PAS is more consistent with the party’s principles could backfire if Umno fails to explain its continued participation in the unity government, a political analyst said.
Global Asia Consulting analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri said Akmal had every right to criticise the government, but lacked credibility in using “Umno’s principles” as the basis for rejecting cooperation with Pakatan Harapan and DAP.
“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 told the Umno Youth general assembly that PH had repeatedly tested Umno’s principles, dignity and Malay-Muslim sensitivities, making cooperation with PAS a 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.
Umno’s role in unity government questioned
Akmal said Umno-Barisan Nasional had been prepared to remain in the opposition after the 2022 general election resulted in a hung Parliament.
However, he said the coalition agreed to form the government with PH and other coalitions out of respect for the king’s wishes.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara, however, 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 Umno’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.
‘A principle cannot be used only against opponents’
Zaharuddin said this was where Akmal’s “principle” argument became complicated, as compromise within 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 clearly explained 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.
Umno urged to offer alternatives
Zaharuddin said Akmal’s criticism of the rising cost of living had some basis.
However, he said Umno could not simply criticise measures aimed at addressing the issue without offering alternative policies, especially as the party is also part of the government.
