UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed defended UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, saying he was entitled to express his views, though he believes the upside-down flag issues should not undo UMNO’s good ties with DAP.
“He believes in what he is doing. It does not matter whether everybody agrees,” he reportedly said on Akmal.
Nur Jazlan drew a comparison between Akmal and Nga Kor Ming of DAP, both of whom were outspoken.
“Nga also used to be vocal about matters, to the point that the Malays hated DAP. The only difference is that he is now a minister. So Nga and DAP should also keep quiet. They are the same (as Akmal).”
On the other hand, he urged ruling coalition partners not to allow the controversy over the Jalur Gemilang being displayed upside down to derail cooperation between UMNO and DAP in the unity government.
He said such incidents must be addressed with maturity to preserve political stability.
However, DAP Youth leaders have renewed calls to sever ties with Akmal. Selangor DAP Youth accused him of acting as a PN “agent,” saying he showed no remorse even after being charged in court.
“From the start, this issue arose because Akmal deliberately stoked racial sentiments, while DAP Youth has consistently opposed gangster-style politics,” it said.
Melaka DAP youth leader Cassel Krishnan also criticised what he called the “cheap politicisation” of the flag issue, warning that it had only sown hatred in society. —Aug 24, 2025
Main image: Bernama
