The DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) National Executive Council on 3 Oct 2025 condemned UMNO Youth chief Akmal Saleh and his secretary for allegedly playing “hero and thug” amid the Global Sumud Flotilla detentions, accusing them of refusing to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in efforts to secure the release of Malaysian volunteers.
DAPSY said its national chief, Woo Kah Leong, had earlier called on all parties not to inflame the situation and to rally behind Prime Ibrahim, who has taken swift and firm action to rescue the detainees, especially Malaysians.
According to DAPSY, Akmal again “proved his reputation as the most thin-skinned political thug,” choosing to attack those who stressed that Israel is the main enemy rather than standing firmly behind PMX. DAPSY questioned whether Akmal disagreed with the stance that Israel is the sole enemy at hand.
Emphasising the seriousness of the Global Sumud Flotilla issue, DAPSY said what is needed now is wise leadership, empathy for families of detainees, and full support for PrimeMinister Anwar Ibrahim’s international negotiations—“not political gimmicks that complicate matters.” Personal attacks, “thuggish language” and hate politics, it said, help no one and only expose “immaturity and narrow-mindedness.”
Calling the Palestine issue a universal humanitarian cause, DAPSY said that after Anwar Ibrahim issued a strong statement on the flotilla incident, politicians should not turn it into a stage for ego.
It further questioned why, if Akmal was in the US, he did not confront former president Donald Trump at the White House instead of waiting for the ASEAN Summit.
DAPSY urged all parties to remain focused on securing the safe release of all detainees, particularly Malaysians, and to support PM and the unity government.
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