KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has hinted at stepping down from his position after his proposal for the party to leave the Unity Government to pursue closer cooperation with PAS under the Muafakat Nasional (MN) framework was rejected by party leadership.
Taking to Facebook, Akmal said he had “done his best” and “expressed his views clearly and respectfully”, but acknowledged that shortcomings may have come from himself.
“Perhaps it is time to step aside. Thank you to all of you who care about this struggle. I believe if our intentions are good, for the religion, race and the country, the time will come,” he wrote.
Akmal called for Umno to withdraw from the unity government and work as a ‘constructive opposition” with PAS at the Umno Youth Special Convention on January 3.
The idea was discussed by the Umno Supreme Council but ultimately not adopted by the party leadership.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that Umno will remain part of the Unity Government until the next general election and will not pursue any “backdoor” attempts to bring down the administration. – January 7, 2026