UMNO Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh has strongly criticised a proposal by Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong suggesting that the government declare a state of emergency to postpone upcoming state elections.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Akmal questioned the rationale behind the suggestion, pointing out that Malaysia had previously faced economic crises without resorting to emergency declarations. He stressed that such a move was unprecedented in similar past situations.
“During the Barisan Nasional administration, we also faced economic downturns, yet there was no call to declare an emergency,” he said, adding that even amid current global economic challenges, other countries have not proposed similar measures.
The remarks were made in response to a statement by the Melaka DAP chairman, who had proposed that the state government submit a petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare an emergency. The proposal was aimed at delaying the state election as the public grapples with rising living costs linked to fuel-related pressures.
Akmal described the suggestion as a reflection of poor governance, arguing that it signals an inability to effectively manage the country during challenging times. He added that leadership should focus on addressing economic concerns rather than postponing democratic processes.
He further criticised the idea, stating that if such proposals continue to surface, it is ultimately up to the people to decide whether the current leadership deserves to remain in power.
