Bawang Assan State Assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh today called out UMNO Youth chief Akmal Saleh, questioning why he remains in UMNO and the ruling coalition if he is so unhappy with the government leadership.
Wong expressed concern over Akmal’s repeated politically motivated attacks on Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. “Akmal, you’ve targeted the wrong person,” Wong said, highlighting that Tiong, entrusted with Sarawak’s political mandate, is not from Peninsular Malaysia and cannot be easily swayed by narrow political tactics. Attacking Tiong, he added, is not merely personal—it targets a leader with significant influence in Sarawak.
Wong criticized Akmal for making the government appear extreme and intolerant internationally. “While Tiong works to deliver results and generate revenue for the treasury, some are busy doing what?” he asked. He warned that with global crises like the Israel-Palestine conflict and Russia-Ukraine war, Malaysia cannot afford to be divided along racial or religious lines.
He stressed that constructive policy debates are welcome, but racial, religious, or personal attacks are unacceptable. Tiong’s position is secure, and he has no plans to resign.
Wong concluded by challenging Akmal: “If you cannot work with a multicultural government, you are free to leave UMNO and the ruling coalition. My question is simple—if you are so dissatisfied, why remain?”
