“Who Is Akmal Really Attacking?” Zahid Sparks UMNO Turmoil

KUALA LUMPUR : UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has openly questioned the political direction and intentions of UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, triggering fresh speculation of a deepening internal rift within the party.

Zahid’s blunt remark — “Who is Akmal really attacking?” — was widely interpreted as more than a casual rebuke. Political observers view it as a rare and pointed challenge to the increasingly combative posture adopted by the party’s youth wing, which has drawn criticism both within UMNO and from its allies in the unity government.

The UMNO president questioned whether Akmal’s repeated hardline statements were aimed at opposition parties, coalition partners, or elements within UMNO itself — a remark that exposed growing unease at the highest levels of the party.

“We are part of the government, not the opposition,” Zahid said, stressing that aggressive public attacks risk blurring UMNO’s political identity and confusing grassroots supporters.

Behind the scenes, party insiders say frustration has been mounting over Akmal’s refusal to soften his rhetoric despite internal reminders to maintain discipline and collective responsibility. His unapologetic stance has resonated with some grassroots members but alarmed senior leaders who fear UMNO is sending mixed signals while struggling to rebuild credibility after electoral setbacks.

Zahid’s intervention is seen as an implicit warning that populist confrontations, while politically attractive to certain segments, could weaken UMNO’s bargaining position within the unity government and strain relations with coalition partners.

Analysts note that the clash reflects a broader ideological struggle within UMNO — between leaders prioritising political stability and younger figures pushing a confrontational narrative to reclaim lost support.

“This is no longer just about messaging. It’s about authority and control,” said one political analyst, adding that Zahid’s public remarks suggest patience within the leadership may be wearing thin.

The episode has reignited debate over whether UMNO Youth is positioning itself as an internal pressure group or laying the groundwork for a larger challenge to the party’s current leadership structure.

As UMNO navigates its most delicate phase in decades, Zahid’s pointed question has laid bare an uncomfortable reality: the party’s fiercest battles may no longer be against external rivals, but from within.