Akmal’s arrogance defies king’s message of harmony, says academic

Tajuddin Rasdi said Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh was ‘arrogant and disrespectful’ in calling minister Nga Kor Ming ‘stupid’.

PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s attack on federal minister Nga Kor Ming is in defiance of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s message to maintain harmony between Malaysia’s communities, says noted academic Tajuddin Rasdi.

Tajuddin described Akmal as being “arrogant and disrespectful” for his comments about Nga.

On Tuesday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, had urged political leaders not to be extreme in their views on matters of race and religion. He said leaders must set an example by showing maturity in their actions, as this will unite Malaysia’s multicultural society.

Akmal, who has pressed for a boycott of KK Mart shops, had said earlier today that “stupid” ministers such as Nga were the reason for the economy being in bad shape, rather than campaigns for commercial boycotts.

In response, Tajuddin said that it is difficult to build a country with trust and respect when political leaders disrespect other leaders from other communities and faiths by calling them “stupid”.

“Political parties that allow their members to sow distrust and disrespect do not deserve any trust or respect from the rakyat in turn, in any election. It is obvious that we Malaysians must rebuild this country ourselves because some of our leaders can no longer be our teachers and inspiration,” he told FMT.

Nga had said on X (formerly Twitter) that workers were suffering the consequences of the push for boycotts by irresponsible parties. He posted a news clipping of a married couple in their 50s whose pay was cut by a fast-food chain because of prolonged boycott campaigns.