UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has apologised to Amanah following his open criticism about the recent political appointments to agencies under the purview of the Agriculture, Food and Food Security Ministry, which is led by its president Mohamad Sabu.

Akmal said as members of the unity government, it is better to look for similarities instead of differences among themselves.

“I humbly apologise for my shortcomings. Our job is to develop the country with better politics, to employ a much better approach.

“We don’t have a problem with differences but it needs to be managed better. It’s easier to find differences than similarities,” he said.

Akmal, who is assemblyman for Merlimau in Malacca, said this during the Unity Youth Convention held in conjunction with the Unity Government National Convention at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, today.

He previously called for the recent appointments of five Pakatan Harapan politicians to  government-linked agencies to be withdrawn as it was against the principles of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

On Wednesday, minister Mohamad Sabu announced the appointments of three politicians from Amanah, one from PKR and one from DAP to five  agencies under the purview of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

Mahfuz Omar would chair the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP), Faiz Fadzil would lead the Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and Aminuddin Zulkipli would helm the Farmers’ Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama). All three are from Amanah. 

PKR’s Dr Azman Ismail would chair the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi) while DAP’s Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali would head the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM). 

Meanwhile PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim said the convention today was the first step to end decades of political rivalry and forge stronger alliances.

The deputy youth and sports minister said there were many differences among them but it could be overcome if they worked together.

“This is not an ordinary gathering. I have repeatedly said this gathering is not only for us to justify the formation of this government.

“This is the point where we state and realise our cooperation, agreement, and our readiness to build a better nation,” he said during a panel discussion titled “Politics as a Vessel for Youths in Nation Building”.

“This is a joint effort for us to build this nation together. We will put an end to decades of political rivalry today. Insya Allah,” he declared. – May 14, 2023.