Doesn’t hurt to be nice, DAP’s Boo tells Umno

September 24, 2024

Doesn’t hurt to be nice, DAP’s Boo tells Umno

PETALING JAYA: A Johor DAP leader has reminded Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh there is no need for insults when wading into public debates, especially those involving sensitive topics.

Boo said he had no issue with the Umno Youth chief defending Malay-Muslim interests. However, there was a need to maintain some decorum.

“There is also no need to hurl insults,” Boo said. “It won’t hurt Umno-DAP ties if we are cordial even when taking an opposing view,” said Boo, who is a Johor DAP committee member.

Boo has called for an apology from Akmal for insulting Seputeh MP Teresa Kok recently during the controversy over halal certification. Akmal had described her as an “old nyonya” after she criticised a proposal on mandatory halal certificates for some eateries.

Boo said Akmal made insulting remarks without “calmly and intelligently” presenting counter arguments. The manner of Akmal’s response would affect Umno’s image as a ruling party, he said after Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah defended Akmal.

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Tengku Razaleigh said Akmal’s actions were in line with Umno’s struggle, as stated in the party’s constitution, according to Sinar Harian.

However, Boo said Tengku Razaleigh, as a senior Umno leader, should advise Akmal to apologise unreservedly to Kok for the sexist remark and for resorting to name calling.

“Akmal has repeatedly made inflammatory comments with no regards to other ethnic minorities’ feelings, and this will come at the expense of the unity government and affect Umno’s image,” Boo told FMT.