Recently, UMNO Women’s Wing executive Nurul Hidayah and UMNO Youth chief Datuk Akmal had engaged in heated exchanges over the party’s future direction. Yesterday, however, the two appeared to put their differences aside when they met at the wedding of the daughter of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf.
In a Facebook post following the encounter, Nurul Hidayah clarified that her relationship with Akmal has never been personal, nor adversarial. She said her previous remarks were motivated solely by concern and responsibility.
Describing her guidance as that of an elder sister to a younger brother, she said her advice to Akmal was intended for the good of UMNO and their shared commitment to the party’s direction.
“Unfortunately, Akmal yesterday commented on Facebook that he had quoted ‘sources’ accurately, but then framed it in a narrative suggesting conflict or tension. This is an irresponsible act,” she wrote.
She added that such framing is unfair and reflects a culture of sensationalism rather than truth. While differences of opinion are normal, she said, twisting motives and facts is unjust.
“I believe Akmal himself understands that in our struggle, what we need is honesty, not mere applause; we need the courage to remind one another, not outsiders determining our narrative,” she added.
Nurul Hidayah said that at today’s wedding, Akmal greeted her respectfully and even addressed her as “sister,” to which she responded positively, acknowledging mutual understanding. She described the encounter as an embodiment of UMNO’s “family spirit.”
Nurul Hidayah is also the daughter of UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid. She had previously responded to Akmal’s threat to withdraw from the unity government, saying she understood his concerns but stressed that UMNO’s future cannot be dictated solely by UMNO Youth. She also noted that public pressure from Akmal could create the perception of division within the party.
