Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has called on DAP’s top leadership to rein in its youth wing, following its calls for the party to sever ties with Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh.
Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, Mohamad—popularly known as Tok Mat—stressed that the law must be enforced fairly and should not be selectively applied. He pointed out that Akmal has already been summoned by the police, and urged all parties to respect the rule of law.
“I hope DAP will advise its youth leaders to be more rational and not act rashly, which would only threaten national stability,” he was quoted as saying.
Mohamad also defended Akmal’s gathering outside the Penang hardware store involved in the incident, asserting that its intention was to promote peace, not cause chaos. He reiterated that flying the national flag upside down is a sensitive matter that cannot go unpunished, as it risks disrupting national harmony.
The controversy was sparked by DAP Youth chapters in Penang and Negeri Sembilan, which had urged the party to sever all ties with Akmal. Separately, Melaka DAP publicity secretary Kerk Chee Yee also suggested the party should not work with “individual politicians who don’t intend to build a harmonious and inclusive community” in the next state election.
For his part, Akmal dismissed the threat, daring DAP to cut ties with him. He said such a move would inadvertently mean ending DAP’s relationship with Umno, a key partner in the unity government.
Akmal is currently under police investigation for sedition, criminal intimidation, and improper use of network facilities. The probe stems from a Facebook video in which he allegedly made statements related to the incident involving a Kepala Batas hardware store owner who was caught on video flying the national flag upside down.
