PKR deputy secretary-general Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad has hit back at UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh over remarks involving Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Saifuddin said Muhamad Akmal should direct his criticism at UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, better known as Tok Mat, instead of blaming him over the controversy.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Saifuddin insisted he was not the one who started the issue surrounding allegations that Mohamad had belittled Aminuddin.
“Akmal should use the opportunity to advise Tok Mat, not me. I didn’t start the issue of the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar being belittled,” he wrote.
Earlier, Muhamad Akmal claimed several UMNO leaders had continued to face political labelling and criticism throughout the state election campaign.
He cited Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi as an example, saying the UMNO leader had previously been labelled with various derogatory terms, including “childish”, “slow”, “racist” and “short”.
Muhamad Akmal also alleged that Mohamad Hasan had now become the latest target, claiming he was being labelled a “bully” during the Negeri Sembilan state election campaign.
Responding to those remarks, Saifuddin accused Muhamad Akmal of being quick to point out the faults of others while ignoring his own conduct.
He argued that political labelling was nothing new, claiming Muhamad Akmal himself had often used similar tactics. Saifuddin also referred to comments by Professor Tajuddin Rasdi of UCSI University, who had previously described Muhamad Akmal as a “political bully”.
In the same statement, Saifuddin further alleged that Muhamad Akmal was known for taking anti-Chinese positions and questioned the sincerity of his previous apology over the issue. He also claimed MCA had failed to take a firm stance.
Saifuddin maintained his position that Tok Mat was a “bully”, adding that Muhamad Akmal should stay out of the matter and instead focus on issues surrounding the resignation of Melaka executive councillors.
He also urged Muhamad Akmal to refer to Article 7(6) of the Melaka State Constitution if he wished to better understand the legal issues surrounding the matter.
