KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has called for Umno to reopen its doors to former leaders, saying the party is “too big and too historic” to remain burdened by old wounds.
In his policy speech at the Umno Youth General Assembly today, Dr Akmal said party leaders must stop infighting and focus on rebuilding Umno’s strength to regain public confidence.
“With due respect, on behalf of Umno Youth, I want to appeal to the president and the entire top leadership; enough of us fighting among ourselves.
“This party is too big, too historic, for us to burden it with old wounds.
“If we keep talking about past wounds, we will never move forward. If we dwell on hurt feelings, the Malays will never be united,” he said.
Dr Akmal said Umno must have the courage to forgive and reunite, including welcoming back those who still believed in the party’s struggle.
“With utmost humility, I appeal to the president for Umno’s doors to be opened to those who still love the party’s struggle.
“Even though some have been suspended, expelled or have joined other parties, if their soul is still Umno, then it is not too late.
“As the president said yesterday, ‘welcome back to Umno’,” he said.
Referring specifically to former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, also known as KJ, and former information chief Shahril Hamdan, Dr Akmal said he had been advised against supporting their return when they were sacked and suspended in 2023.
“Many exco members told me not to bring Shahril and Khairy back. I asked them why.
“They said if we bring KJ back, my political journey would be disrupted, that I am now the Umno Youth chief and can go much further after this.
“I gave them only one answer, what significance is my own interest compared to the interest of our party?” he said.
Dr Akmal said the issue was never about individual ambitions but about strengthening Umno to win back the trust of the people.
“This is not about Dr Akmal. This is not about Khairy. This is about our party. It is not about becoming president, but about how we strengthen this party to win the hearts of the people out there,” he said.
He said Umno could only return to strength if it was confident enough to accept honest voices and differing views.
“A party that is confident in its strength will not fear honest voices, will not be intimidated by anyone’s return, and will not be shaken by differences of opinion,” he said.
Dr Akmal added that Umno had a responsibility to ensure the party, built on the struggles and hardships of the people, continued to thrive for future generations.
“This is our responsibility to ensure that a party built from the tears and hardships of the people continues to flourish, so that we can pass it on to our children and grandchildren,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
