MELAKA: Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has dismissed the fake media statement circulating on social media, attributing them to the work of meddling individuals.
He asserted that such unfounded claims by irresponsible parties were a deliberate attempt to sow discord among leaders of the party within the unity government.
The Umno Jasin division chief pays no attention to the slander directed at him, underlining the gravity of those responsible for this unwarranted episode.
"This morning, a friend forwarded a statement made under my name. I would like to clarify which statement is authentic and which one is fabricated.
"At a time when our brethren on the East Coast are grappling with the trials of floods, I implore certain parties to cease engaging in trivial politics like this. Direct your focus toward assisting our people in need instead of busying yourselves with baseless allegations that bring no benefit to the public.
"Let's avoid wearing out the patience of the people with political antics," he said in a press release today.
Earlier, a media statement bearing the Umno letterhead and logo, with the words "Ketua Pemuda" (Youth Chief), has been circulating on social media since this morning, alleging that the party's youth leader had called for the Umno Supreme Council to make a decision to withdraw from the unity government coalition.
This falsified document suggests that the youth wing believed traditional channels of advice are no longer viable and that the Madani government coalition is detrimental to Umno.
The dissemination of this spurious letter comes on the heels of Akmal's rebuke against statements by DAP leaders proposing the appointment of non-Muslim experts to assist the Special Committee in Evaluating the Competence of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in Enacting Islamic Laws.
In a cautionary statement posted on his Facebook page yesterday, he emphasised that Shariah law exclusively applied to Muslims, and there was no merit in the suggestion put forth by Datuk Ngeh Ko Ham.
"This is a clear example of leaders who fail to grasp the sensitivities of Muslims in this nation. Leaders of this ilk pose a hindrance to the unity government.
"Anthony Loke Siew Fook (DAP secretary-general), it's time to decide whether you wish to defend leaders like Ngeh or preserve the camaraderie among party members within the unity government.
"If your aim is to shield leaders like Ngeh, then we may as well abandon any hope of maintaining the unity government relationship. Let's draw the line; enough is enough."