KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has snapped back at Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming over the latter’s remarks supposedly condemning ongoing boycotts in the nation.
Expressing his discontent with Nga, who is also housing and local government minister, Akmal lambasted the assertion made by the DAP representative in a tweet yesterday.
“Are you trying to say that boycott campaigns are the reason why the nation’s economy is bad now?” Akmal questioned in a Facebook post today.
“During (former prime minister) Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s time, there were also boycott campaigns held, but the economy managed to improve.
“To the not-so-smart (Nga), the country’s economy is bad because there are ministers like you! Stupid!”
The Merlimau assemblyman also shared a screenshot of Nga’s tweet in question.
In the posting, Nga said a news site was reporting on how boycott initiatives by “irresponsible” quarters had caused the nation’s workforce to suffer dire consequences.
“Don’t even fall into the trap set by instigators. Our nation needs cooperation from all parties to advance our economy,” he added in the post, which has gained about 105,000 views since it was uploaded yesterday.
Berita hari ini memaparkan akibat boikot yg dimainkan oleh pihak tidak bertanggungjawab, pekerja2 kita yg terpaksa menanggung sengsara. Jangan sekali masuk dlm perangkap penghasut, negara kita memerlukan usaha semua pihak utk membangunkan ekonomi negara. 🙏🏼#HariRayaAidilfitri pic.twitter.com/KDkTennAM1
— Nga Kor Ming (@NgaKorMing) April 11, 2024
While neither Nga nor Akmal referenced any specific incident, the latter had previously repeatedly called for a boycott of convenience store chain KK Mart after the company was embroiled in controversy over its sale of “Allah”-printed socks.
Earlier this week, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim held an audience with Akmal, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Melaka Umno chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and DAP deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong.
Following the audience, the Agong expressed his hope that political leaders will avoid being extremists when giving their views on religious and racial issues.
“(This is) not only (about) Umno and DAP, but also for all parties (as) leaders must be the bridge between our plural society and examples of mature behaviour,” His Majesty decreed.
Subsequently, Akmal said he would heed the Agong’s advice to maintain national harmony. – April 12, 2024