Politics

Don: Umno Youth call for DAP to apologise misplaced

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth's recent demand for an apology from DAP has been met with criticism.

Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, who is professor of political science at the School of Distance Education in Universiti Sains Malaysia, described the call as typical Umno hubris and misplaced.

"Umno Youth's call is typical of Umno hubris, exactly why the majority of Malays have rejected Umno until it can show that it has changed.

"For a start, change begins with humility. Umno Youth is totally misplaced since on balance, it is Umno that had been the country's ruling party for over 60 years.

"And during all those years in power, while there has been no doubt some good was done for Malaysia, there has also been gross abuse of power, corruption and despotism.

"If Umno wants a fresh start with Malaysians, the majority of whom now reject them, it should begin by apologising to not just DAP but to all Malaysians for its misdeeds while in power," he added.

Prof Ahmad Fauzi said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's call to move on from past rivalry, on the other hand, reflects his understanding of the current unity government "which is facing state elections as underdogs against an ascendant PN, at least in the Malay belt".

He added that as deputy prime minister and Umno president, Zahid has the responsibility to dispel any portrayal of disunity within component parties of the unity government.

Earlier, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook urged all parties to move on from past rivalry after Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh called on DAP to apologise for previous statements and allegations made against the party.

In agreeing with Zahid's mandate to move on, Loke said there has been no incompatibility between parties in the unity government since its formation, and that the cabinet has been functioning well.

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