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Umno Youth chief Akmal accused of orchestrating overthrow of Government
KUALA LUMPUR, April 4, 2024: Social media and the internet are now abuzz with speculations that Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh is out to topple the Anwar Ibrahim,-led so-called Madani Unity Government (UG).
Lawyer and social activist Siti Kasim posted this on X:
This fella needs to be investigated!
She was referring to Akmal and she included a link to a political analysis titled Explosive Allegations: UMNO Youth Chief Accused of Orchestrating Government Overthrow
No News Is Bad News has reproduced below the report.
Meanwhile, Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil today finally found his courage to warn Akmal against misinterpreting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim’s decree for parties not to take advantage of the “Allah” socks issue.
“I feel it’s enough. We’re approaching Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Enough is enough. Stop this controversy. The Agong has commanded not once, but twice (not to prolong the polemics),” he added.
And, in East Malaysia, two civil society activist organisations today demanded that that their state governments bar Akmal and four Muslim preachers from Sarawak and Sabah.
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This fella needs to be investigated!
Explosive Allegations: UMNO Youth Chief Accused of Orchestrating Government Overthrow
Local
Zulaikha Farhana
A versatile freelancer, blogger, and content writer
In the wake of the KK Super Mart controversy, the nation finds itself gripped by a storm of political intrigue, with fingers pointing towards UMNO Youth leader Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh as the mastermind behind a purported internal coup against the unity Government. Allegations suggest that Dr. Akmal's bold actions may not be his own, but rather orchestrated by shadowy political forces aiming to sow discord within the ruling coalition.
Sources within the corridors of power in Putrajaya reveal a deeper plot at play, implicating Dr. Akmal in a scheme to drive a wedge between parties in the unity government. It's claimed that his inflammatory rhetoric regarding the discovery of socks bearing the word "Allah" at a KK Super Mart outlet is a calculated move to destabilize the coalition.
The controversy has placed parties like DAP and PKR in a precarious position, as Dr. Akmal's actions stoke racial and religious tensions, particularly among non-Malay communities. Despite public apologies from KK Super Mart's leadership, Dr. Akmal's persistent agitation threatens to undermine the unity government, with speculation suggesting he may seek its collapse.
Dr. Akmal's involvement in other contentious issues, such as the recognition of bak kut teh as a national heritage food and the failure to secure a pardon for ex-PM Najib Razak, further exacerbates tensions within the coalition. Rumors linking him to former UMNO vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein add fuel to the fire, with suggestions that Dr. Akmal stands to benefit from a government collapse.
Efforts to quell the turmoil include criminal charges against KK Super Mart's founders, but the controversy shows no signs of abating, particularly in online spaces. In response, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong has called for restraint, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law and preserve national unity.
As the nation grapples with this escalating crisis, the true motivations behind Dr. Akmal's actions remain shrouded in mystery, leaving the future of the unity government hanging in the balance.
The allegations of a clandestine plot to overthrow the government have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising questions about the stability of the ruling coalition and the integrity of its leaders. While Dr. Akmal may be at the forefront of this controversy, deeper forces seem to be at play, manipulating the political landscape for their own ends.
Speculation surrounding Dr. Akmal's ties to figures like Hishammuddin Hussein adds layers of complexity to the situation, suggesting a broader power struggle within UMNO and its allies. With the stakes so high, every move and statement is scrutinized for its potential impact on the fragile balance of power.
Despite efforts to contain the fallout, including legal action against those involved in the KK Super Mart incident, public discourse continues to be dominated by the controversy. Social media platforms serve as battlegrounds for competing narratives, amplifying the sense of uncertainty and unrest among the populace.
In the midst of this turmoil, the call for restraint from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the sensitivities of all Malaysians. However, whether this will be enough to quell the rising tide of discontent remains to be seen.
As the nation braces for further developments, one thing is clear: the fallout from the KK Super Mart controversy has unleashed forces that threaten to upend the political landscape as we know it. In this climate of uncertainty, the fate of the unity government hangs in the balance, with the actions of its leaders under intense scrutiny from all quarters.
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MALAYSIA
Just arrest Akmal to stop his nonsense, says Sarawak minister
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the police should just “go and grab” him without having to consider his position and political affiliation.
Updated 3 hours ago · Published on 04 Apr 2024 3:36PM
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the police should just “go and grab” Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
BY Desmond Davidson
POLICE should just arrest Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh and all those like him, who are inciting people along race and religious lines, said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Akmal, the Merlimau state assemblyman, has been urging Malays and Muslims to boycott the KK Mart convenience stores over the “Allah” socks controversy.
Karim said the police should just “go and grab” him without having to consider his position and political affiliation.
“Whether (he is) from Umno (or) whether (he is) from any other party, don't bother. Just nab him," he said.
Karim, the first cabinet minister from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) – the lynchpin of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) – to comment of the socks controversy which had triggered off three firebomb attacks on KK Mart stores in Bidor, Perak, Kuantan, Pahang and here in Kuching, said the police should instead look at the “the country as a whole”.
“The Umno Youth chief cannot be inciting (and no action taken). Anything to do with race, religion should always be avoided especially in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country (like Malaysia).”
Karim said since the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been repealed, police should use whatever available laws “to stop this kind of nonsense”, adding that if this was not done, it will lead to much bigger problems.
The police and the Home Ministry should have acted decisively and not let Akmal's actions escalate the situation.
“It's not going to help (the country). Those who seem to be advocating boycotts are creating much more stress to our nation.”
Karim said he is also puzzled by the slow pace of investigations into the three attacks.
He said it was puzzling that no one had been arrested a week after the first attack on the KK Super Mart branch in Bidor on March 26, and five days after the Kuching attack.
Karim admitted he had not expected the attack at the store in Satok, Kuching.
“It's the last thing we had expected. Everybody knows that Sarawak is such a peaceful state with a level of tolerance unmatched in any other states.”
He said the Molotov cocktail attack in the wee hours of Sunday, which set off a small fire, has shown Sarawakians not to underestimate the propensity of some people to resort to violence.
“Things like this are bound to happen because there are some people crazier than others.” – The Vibes, April 4, 2024
Fahmi warns Akmal against misinterpreting king’s decree
-04 Apr 2024, 01:55 PM
The government spokesman says enough is enough.
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil says it would be inappropriate to misinterpret the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. (Bernama pic)
AMPANG: Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil today warned Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh against misinterpreting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim’s decree for parties not to take advantage of the “Allah” socks issue.
He said misinterpreting the decree would be inappropriate as the king holds the highest position in the Malay-Muslim community.
Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said political leaders must heed the royal decree not to prolong the controversy.
“I feel it’s enough. We’re approaching Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Enough is enough. Stop this controversy. The Agong has commanded not once, but twice (not to prolong the polemics),” Fahmi told reporters here.
Akmal has remained resolute in his call for a boycott of convenience store chain KK Mart, saying in a Facebook post yesterday that the public had decided on the matter without coercion.
He was also reported by Malaysiakini as asking if the king had specifically demanded a halt to the boycott.
Sultan Ibrahim had earlier warned parties against taking advantage of the issue, including by inciting the public, after granting an audience to KK Mart founder Chai Kee Kan.
It was the king’s second statement within a week on the controversy which began when photographs were circulated on social media showing socks bearing the word “Allah” at KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet on March 13.
On a separate matter, Fahmi said MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd was one of the leading agencies involved in drafting the Music Act due to its involvement in the music industry.
He said the ministry was also looking at the possibility of establishing a pro tem committee to accelerate the drafting of the Act.
“Singers are among those who provide the most (entertainment) content. We see a need to consider not only their welfare, but also the industry’s sustainability through an independent Act,” Fahmi said.
In August, Fahmi announced that an Act for the overall music industry would be formulated in two years.
MALAYSIA
Activists call for Umno Youth chief, religious extremists to be barred from Sarawak, Sabah
Demand in response to events that have threatened peace and harmony in the two states, they say.
Updated 2 hours ago · Published on 04 Apr 2024 11:42AM
Activists are calling for religious extremists and race-baiters to declared persona non grata in Sabah and Sarawak. – The Vibes file pic, April 4, 2024.
BY Desmond Davidson
ACTIVISTS from two civil society organisations in East Malaysia are demanding that their state governments bar Umno Youth chief Akmal Salleh and four Muslim preachers from Sarawak and Sabah.
Sarawak Associations for People Aspirations publicity and information chief Peter John Jaban said the Sarawak premier must not allow Akmal and controversial Muslim preachers Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, Shakir Nasoha and Firdaus Wong – the man who exposed the Allah socks controversy – entry into the state.
Jaban said their names should be added to the so-called “immigration blacklist”.
Atama Katama of Sabah Defenders of Ancestral Lands want the five banned from the two states as they have “contributed to the escalation of racial and religious tensions, as well as social discord in the country”.
“This demand is in response to recent events that have threatened peace and harmony in Sarawak and Sabah,” Jaban and Atama said in a joint statement.
Ridhuan Tee, Zamri and Shakir have often been accused of hate speech and inflammatory remarks against other religions.
Sarawak and Sabah have autonomy over immigration matters in their respective states under the terms of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Jaban said the states should add to the blacklist people who could undermine “peaceful environment, and the values of exclusivity, tolerance, and social harmony”.
He said the five should be on the list as they have “incited protests and boycotts, fuelled racial and religious intolerance, created fear and insecurity, and promoted divisive attitudes”.
Sarawak regularly bars Malaysians from other states, mostly the peninsula, whom it deems undesirable.
The late chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem was known to bar "extremists, religious bigots, and troublemakers" from the peninsula.
Sarawak rarely comments on the “blacklist”, on which the prime minister is said to be.
The state has made some exemptions since the 2018 general election to allow those who are on the blacklist but are members of the cabinet to enter the state on official duties. – April 4, 2024.
Socks issue: Akmal’s hardline stance invites extreme behaviour, says Nik Nazmi
By N. TRISHA
Thursday, 04 Apr 2024
1:20 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's hardline stance over the “Allah” socks issue has triggered extreme behaviour by others, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The PKR vice-president urged the Umno Youth chief to ease off on the controversial issue.
"He continues to play on the issue of the socks with the word 'Allah' written on them as political capital.
"His (Muhamad Akmal) aggressive attitude towards this issue has invited extreme behaviour from some individuals - including the incidences of petrol bombs thrown at several KK Super Mart stores.
"Yes, KK Super Mart's actions have hurt the hearts of Muslims but they have made an official apology and explained what happened," he said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday (April 3).
Nik Nazmi, who is also Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, said at the same time KK Super Mart Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan and his wife, as the company’s director, have been charged in court.
"All parties need to stop taking advantage of the issue as there is a legislative process.
"He (Muhamad Akmal) should heed the advice of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and stop using this issue as a political tool.
"Continuously exploiting this issue will not benefit anyone.
"My advice to him (Muhamad Akmal) is that the desire to introduce oneself to the political arena with issues like this will not last long, look for issues that are critical and beneficial to the people.
Even Umno leaders have asked Muhamad Akmal to step back from the socks issue, he added.
"At the same time, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia granted an audience to Chai at Istana Negara to hear an explanation related to this issue," he said.
Nik Nazmi said Islam was a religion that upheld justice, but emphasised kindness.
"Using religious sentiments to inflame anger, causing discontent among the people when several violent incidents have already occurred, is an action that benefits no one.
"As leaders, we cannot continue to incite the people but when an unwanted incident occurs, we try to 'wash our hands' without a sense of humility and willingness to reflect," he said.
During a 15-minute audience at Istana Negara on Wednesday (April 3), Chai sought His Majesty’s forgiveness and apologised to the King over the sale of socks with the word “Allah” printed on them.
Chai also apologised to the Muslim community.
The chain has been mired in controversy since March 13 after the controversial socks were discovered in the Bandar Sunway outlet.
Chai and his wife, Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui, have been charged with two counts of intentionally wounding the religious sensitivities of Muslims over the distribution and sale of the socks.
The couple claimed trial to the charges.
Anger towards KK Super Mart over the issue has led to three firebombing attempts on the convenience store’s outlets in Perak, Pahang and Sarawak. - The Star
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