KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh should be more mindful when issuing statements, and to show a modicum of respect, said PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim.
This came after Akmal made an Instagram post questioning whether the government would adhere to the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s orders on allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve his prison sentence under house arrest.
Adam said although Akmal may not be an avid supporter of Pakatan Harapan, he was still a youth chief of a party in the unity government.
“As much as we unanimously show respect to your president – carefully choosing the right words when sharing our thoughts, even on such fundamental issues – why can’t you show the same attitude to our president, the prime minister?
“As a youth chief of a ruling party, while also being a people’s representative and state exco, you have wide access to your own leadership and those of your friends’ parties.
“Whatever you wish to raise, it will be heard and responded to,” Adam said in a statement today.
Adam, who is also deputy youth and sports minister, said Akmal was not barred from defending his former party president, but inciting a hostile environment would not be conducive.
“Maybe you have high spirits to defend (Najib), that is your pledge which we never prohibited – even if there are different views.
“But, creating an atmosphere prone to starting such a movement will not aid in achieving the best for everyone.”
On April 1, Najib filed a review application, alleging the existence of an addendum order issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong dated January 29, which allegedly allowed the former prime minister to serve his remaining jail term under house arrest.
He named the home minister, the commissioner-general of prisons, the attorney-general, the Federal Territories Pardons Board, the government, the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (law and institutional reform), as well as the director-general of the legal affairs division in the Prime Minister’s Department, as the respondents.
On April 9, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid – who was named as a critical witness in Najib’s judicial review against the government – filed an affidavit backing the latter’s request concerning a royal supplementary order allowing his house arrest.
His affidavit claimed that Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had informed him of the addendum order’s existence dated January 29, during a meeting at his house in Country Heights, Kajang.
However, Tengku Zafrul said he would issue his own affidavit to correct several “factual errors” in Zahid’s document. The Attorney-General’s Chambers also said it would raise the matter in court. – April 19, 2024