KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has called out PKR Youth information chief Haziq Azfar Ishak, urging him not to make unreasonable statements that could tarnish the party's efforts in the unity government.
Umno Youth secretary A'zlan Abu Bakar said Haziq's claims toward Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Salleh attacking component parties were false, as they did not point out any specific quarters.
"I find it perplexing if someone feels offended, although Dr Akmal, in his social media post, only wrote in general terms without specifying anyone.
"Dr Akmal's post, uploaded immediately after the Pardons Board's decision confirming the pardon for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, stated, 'We are being played finally, don't think we don't know what's happening, it's time.'
"So, nothing is attacking the component parties of the unity government.
"In other words, 'siapa makan cili, dia terasa pedas.' Perhaps Haziq has eaten a chili, hence the spiciness," he said in a statement.
A'zlan said the statement issued by Haziq intentionally portrays that the Umno Youth chief was starting to harm the relations within the unity government.
"In reality, he is the one creating this situation," said Haziq.
"It is unfair to the component allies in the unity government who are trying to maintain harmony and mutual respect while UMNO's top leaders like him issue statements that create suspicion among each other.
"Statements like these are baseless and should not raise questions of unfairness towards Umno, as if the party is not making efforts to maintain harmony and respect among the component allies of the unity government," he added.
He advised Haziq to directly ask Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or even PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim to shed light on what Dr Akmal meant.
"He can directly ask their party president, Anwar, whether it is true that Umno is being played.
"If it is true, then the statement issued by Haziq on Berita Harian's social media platform on Feb 4 is justified. If it is not true, there is no need for Haziq to issue this statement.
"Moreover, it would be better for the Keadilan party to prove their efforts to maintain harmony and respect among the component allies of the unity government by filing a police report against Tony Pua's actions, which are seen as playing with the Institution of the Constitutional Monarchy when the decision of the Clemency Board was issued," he said.