Former acting Umno Youth chief Nazri Abdul Aziz has criticised current Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh, calling him childish.
This comes after Akmal implied Nazri was a sycophant in response to the latter’s earlier remarks.
Nazri, who previously served as Malaysia’s ambassador to the US, told Malaysiakini that Akmal resorted to insults because he could not counter the argument that he only represents a minority within Umno and the Malay community.
“Akmal’s response to my statement reflects a childish attitude and narrow-mindedness. He did not properly address what I said.
“I stated that he does not represent the Malays or Umno as a whole. Instead of countering my argument with facts, he called me a ‘bootlicker’. Is that the kind of response expected from a youth leader?” said Nazri.
Sarcastically, Nazri added that if he were truly a sycophant, Akmal might benefit and even secure a position as a Malacca government exco member.
Previously, Nazri told Malaysiakini that upon his return from the US, he would focus on supporting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to ensure the PKR president remains in Putrajaya after the 16th general election. He cited the absence of strong candidates to succeed Anwar as the reason.
When asked whether this lack of successors extended to Umno, Nazri responded, “Can you tell me who? Akmal? You tell me who.”
Taking another swipe at Akmal, Nazri pointed out that the Merlimau assemblyman represents only one of four Umno wings, arguing that his views should not be seen as the majority opinion.
When asked why he believed Akmal did not represent the majority of Malays and Muslims, Nazri stated that PAS had become the dominant force among Malay-Muslim voters.
“If we are discussing who truly represents the Malay-Muslim voice today, it is PAS. They govern four Muslim-majority states – Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
“In Parliament, PAS holds far more Malay-majority seats than Umno. That’s why I said Akmal does not represent the majority,” he said.
Nazri also compared how PAS and Akmal handled the “Allah” socks controversy, claiming that PAS managed the issue without inciting racial tensions, unlike Akmal and Umno Youth.
Additionally, Nazri ridiculed Akmal for suggesting he might be appointed as Malaysia’s ambassador to Myanmar.
“To me, that is a very low standard. For comparison, serving as ambassador to the US is the highest diplomatic post in the Foreign Ministry.
“So only a fool would think that after holding that position, I would be sent to Myanmar. Maybe he wants the job,” he quipped.
Nazri has returned to Malaysia following the expiry of his contract as ambassador to the US.