Akmal Slams Muhyiddin For Shifting From Malay First Stance

---

 The Umno Youth chief says he will always remain Malay before Malaysian because that is his race.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh accused Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin of changing his stance ‘in the pursuit of power’.PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh today criticised Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin for abandoning his “Malay first” stance taken in 2010, accusing the former prime minister of shifting his position for political gain
In a Facebook post, Akmal contrasted Muhyiddin’s remarks in 2010 with his recent comments playing down the importance of racial identity.
“In 2010, he said he was a Malay first, then a Malaysian. Now he’s saying that (stance) is no longer important.
“It’s true what people say: people change in pursuit of power,” the Merlimau assemblyman said.
Akmal said that he, unlike Muhyiddin, remained firm in his stand, and insisted that his Malay identity was foundational and unchanging.
“I remain a Malay first before a Malaysian because that is my race. It’s something that cannot be changed. Then, now, and God willing, forever.”
Yesterday, Muhyiddin acknowledged that he had once said he was “Malay first” but said this was “no longer important”.
The Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman said while he considered himself a Malay Malaysian, he had never seen himself “as only Malay”.
Muhyiddin’s remarks were welcomed by Urimai chairman P Ramasamy, who said they were a timely and vital step for PN to become a coalition that represents all Malaysians.
The former Penang DAP leader also said this could reshape the image of the opposition pact and make it an inclusive alternative for non-Malays ahead of the next general election. - FMT

---