SUCH is the take of Bersatu Melaka committee member Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad who believes that UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has been given blessing by his party’s top echelon “to whack DAP” as an ultimate win-win proposition for both Madani government allies.
The Perikatan Nasional (PN) Melaka secretary expressed belief that the Merlimau state assemblyman’s tactical offensive could have been jointly devised by UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi himself along with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Rauf Yusoh “to regain Malay-Muslim support in both the 16th General Election (GE16) and forthcoming 2026 Melaka state election”.
“Don’t be surprised if upon closer examination, what is happening is a script from a confidential discussion among political strategists from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Zahid-Rauf and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s circle,” Effandi penned on his Facebook page.
“Therefore, whatever attacks made or will be made by the UMNO Youth chief against DAP or the unity government will not at all affect DAP’s position in all 40 of its parliamentary seats.”
Such ‘conspiracy’ theory somehow runs parallel with the view of renowned political commentator Prof James Chin who reckoned that the Akmal who has portrayed himself as a staunch defender of race and religion could not have been so bold to declare himself fighting DAP all out without consent from his party’s top brass.
Delving further, Effandi expects the Russian-trained medical doctor to serve as a “warrior of his race” to raise Malay anger towards DAP in particular and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in general while elevating the perception of UMNO as the party of hope for the Malay-Muslim community.
“As a result, UMNO will be able to defend its existing seats and even ‘steal’ a few more seats from PN,” predicted the former Telok Mas state assemblyman.
DAP will not be harmed
“DAP leaders will occasionally speak out against Akmal to show the Chinese that they are still fierce even though they are now in the government. Whatever happens, the 40 parliamentary seats belonging to DAP will continue to remain because they aren’t contesting in areas with high Malay majority.”
If such ‘smokescreen’ is successful, UMNO can be expected to contribute between 30 and 50 parliamentary seats to “PMX’s Madani government from Malay sentiment arising from the all-out fight DAP task assigned to the UMNO Youth chief”.
Earlier, Effandi brushed aside any anti-DAP notion within the UMNO top leadership given that Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail who is also the UMNO vice-president (VP) has recently expressed “feeling comfortable and at ease working with DAP”.
The UMNO president, UMNO deputy president, two UMNO VPs and the UMNO Wanita head themselves seem to be compatible with DAP in the PMX Cabinet. Akmal alone should not be read in isolation for there’s a planned purpose (for him).
Moreover, PMX is fully aware that for him to remain as PM, the Malay votes will be a deciding factor. PH’s performance, especially that of PKR and Amanah in the 2022 GE has clearly declined, with the vast majority of Malays voting for PN.
In Peninsular Malaysia (unlike Sabah), DAP which currently controls 40 parliamentary seats will still receive support from majority of the Chinese electorate.
Chinese opposition towards DAP will still exist but not be significant. 80%-85% will still vote for DAP-PH although not as high as over 90% as in the 2018 and 2022 GEs. – Jan 16, 2026
Main image credit: Sinar Harian
