Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it never crossed his mind that Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh might resign from his position, adding that he has not considered whether he would accept or reject any resignation letter.
Speaking to reporters after the National Disaster Management Agency’s New Year assembly today, Zahid said Umno Youth leaders should embrace differences of opinion and remain open to criticism.
He noted that both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and himself were former Umno Youth chiefs, stressing that the youth wing must be idealistic while respecting differing views.
“We should not label critics as undemocratic or unable to accept reality. In politics, not everyone will agree with us. Differences should be addressed with explanations, not hostility,” he said.
Calling on Umno Youth leaders to remain resilient, Zahid said he had faced numerous challenges during his own tenure as youth chief.
“This message is not only for Akmal. Continue fighting for your ideals even if your proposals are not accepted. I have fallen before, but falling does not mean we cannot rise again,” he said.
Akmal had posted on social media yesterday suggesting that it might be time for him to step aside after Zahid rejected his call for Umno to leave the Madani government.
At a special convention on Saturday, Akmal cited repeated violations of so-called “red lines” involving race, religion and royalty (3R issues). However, Zahid said Umno would remain in the Madani government and would not abandon its coalition partners, despite the resolution presented by Akmal at a political bureau meeting on Monday.
Zahid also dismissed references to past political proposals that did not materialise, including cooperation with PAS under Muafakat Nasional.
