Responding to DAP Youth’s criticism of Umno and BN, Akmal said the former might have forgotten that without BN’s support, Pakatan Harapan might not have been able to form the federal government.
“Don’t talk about ‘forgetting those who helped you’, because everyone knows who helped ensure political stability after the last general election.
“Don’t just talk about pushing to dissolve Parliament, withdraw support from the state governments formed together with BN today as well. Withdraw support in Perak. Withdraw support in Pahang.
“Let us fight in a gentlemanly manner and return the mandate to the people… If you truly want to test your strength, let’s open up the arena. Bring it on,” he said in a Facebook post.
DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong is an executive councillor in the Perak government, while DAP Youth publicity secretary Ho Chi Yang is a backbencher supporting the Pahang government.
Both state governments are led by BN with PH involved in the administration.
Akmal, a Melaka executive councillor, was responding to DAP Youth calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament and clash with BN at the polls if the Umno-led coalition insists on going solo in the Johor polls.
The wing said Umno should not forget the role PH played in “reviving” the party after putting up its worst-ever electoral performance in the 2022 general election.
Akmal, the Merlimau assemblyman, challenged DAP Youth to prove that its call for Parliament to be immediately dissolved was supported by its central leaders.
He added that there was no need to “panic” over Johor Umno’s intention to go solo in the state polls, as there was no agreement that BN and PH would contest in state or general elections together.
“Don’t look so nervous when Umno wants to go solo,” he said.
He also took aim at DAP leaders critical of Umno for not withdrawing support for the Melaka government led by BN despite their disgruntlements.
“At least I submitted my letter of resignation (as an exco), not once but twice. What about (DAP)?”
Akmal remains a Melaka exco after his resignation letters were rejected by chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh.