Weaponising Disability An Assault On Dignity Zaid Torches Akmal

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Zaid Ibrahim has launched a scathing condemnation of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh for mocking critics by likening them to persons with disabilities.
The former law minister described the remark not only as “deeply offensive” but as a glaring symptom of a poisonous, backward political culture that ridicules the marginalised rather than defends them.
“It is utterly reprehensible for any politician to weaponise disability as an insult. When a public figure equates criticism with being ‘disabled’ - as if disability is a marker of inferiority - they not only reveal the poverty of their character but also reinforce dangerous, dehumanising prejudices against an already marginalised community,” he told Malaysiakini.
“Such rhetoric is not just cruel; it is an assault on dignity - both of disabled persons and of our public discourse. It betrays a mindset rooted in ableism, one that sees people with disabilities not as equals in society, but as a punchline or a slur to be hurled in defence of fragile egos,” he added.
Zaid was commenting on the Umno Youth leader’s suggestion that DAP Youth should be given an “OKU” (disabled) card too.
This came after the wing criticised him for repeatedly harping on the controversy over an upside-down national flag at a Chinese school in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. It was later revealed that the flag had been mistakenly raised that way by an employee with special needs.
Questioning the school’s wisdom in entrusting the task of raising the flag to such a person, Akmal said: “We do not want claims like special needs or intellectual disability being used as an excuse if such an incident were to happen again.”
Zaid, who revealed that he founded the most successful private initiative for people with disabilities, “Yayasan Orang Kurang Upaya” some three decades ago, minced no words in asserting that leaders are supposed to elevate the national conversation and not debase it.
“Anyone who stoops so low has no moral standing to speak of patriotism, unity, or justice. They should be held accountable - not just politically, but ethically - for normalising contempt in place of compassion,” he added.
‘You do not own patriotism’
Zaid further noted that many persons with disabilities have contributed more to this nation than politicians who sow divisions.
“While they work, innovate, teach, create, and uplift communities, this so-called leader, paid by taxpayers, spends his time sowing division and lobbing childish insults from the comfort of privilege,” he added.
Zaid also reminded the Bukit Merlimau assemblyperson that his salary is not funded just by Malays, but by Malaysians of all races.
“This includes those you routinely belittle or exclude. You do not own patriotism. You do not define dignity. And you certainly do not get to degrade others while hiding behind race and religion.
“Leadership demands responsibility. This behaviour only reveals a desperate man, bankrupt of ideas, who can only punch down because he cannot rise to the occasion,” he added.
Zaid said there are far more constructive and intelligent ways to make one’s mark as a politician, unless, of course, Akmal is conceding that this is the pinnacle of his intellectual capacity.
“If this is the best he can offer, it speaks volumes about the depth - or lack thereof - of his leadership potential,” he added. - Mkini

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