Umno Youth Defends Abang Belon Amid Backlash Over Dbkl Raid

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UMNO Youth led by Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has vowed to defend the rights of “Abang Belon”, a balloon vendor allegedly mistreated by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers during a raid on unlicensed traders at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman despite his reported 13 past criminal records, mostly drug-related.
Dr Akmal insists that the focus is on the injustice faced by the vendor, not his criminal history and rejects the notion that a criminal record justifies oppression. The incident has led to three police investigations, with two papers already submitted to the deputy public prosecutor.
He meant that UMNO Youth remains steadfast in its stance, prioritising justice over public backlash. Note that Bersatu and the PKR also came to the defence and support of the poor balloon vendor.
Dr Akmal emphasised, “UMNO Youth is defending ‘Abang Belon’ not because of his 13 past criminal records but because he was wronged while conducting his business; he was treated in a harsh and undignified manner.”
He further argued, “Even if someone has 100 past criminal records, that does not give us a licence to oppress or harm ‘Abang Belon'” challenging critics who suggest otherwise.
Addressing hypocrisy, he noted, “If the person involved were a minister’s child or a tycoon’s son with a criminal record… yet you remain silent. But when it involves a poor person like ‘Abang Belon,’ they are insulted and ridiculed.”
Former premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expressed dismay over the viral incident involving DBKL enforcers allegedly roughing up the balloon vendor during Ramadan. The Perikatan Nasional chairman called the aggression unwarranted especially against a street hawker whose only fault was selling balloons.
Meanwhile, DBKL has suspended three enforcement officers following a scuffle with unlicensed balloon trader Muhamad Za’imuddin Azlan on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
PKR also played catch-up in the drama, aiming to secure Abang Belon’s livelihood, with PKR’s Federal Territories chairman Datuk Azman Abidin rushing to aid street balloon vendor Muhamad Za’imuddin Azlan urging better licensing support for vendors. —  Focus Malaysia

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