R Nadeswaran
Published: Jun 25, 2025 8:30 AM
Updated: 10:48 AM
COMMENT | Hear ye, Hear ye! The high priest of public morals and decency has spoken.
The apostle who once posted a picture of himself on Facebook wielding a traditional Japanese sword has now become a town crier against student protests.
The cheerleader for exemplary conduct in public order must have a say, even if it has little to do with him, but it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
What name do groups call themselves if they are doing the same actions?
What is the difference between a solidarity rally for a “home leave” for a convicted felon and a protest against corruption, and in the process burning a caricature of the prime minister?
Published: Jun 25, 2025 8:30 AM
Updated: 10:48 AM
COMMENT | Hear ye, Hear ye! The high priest of public morals and decency has spoken.
The apostle who once posted a picture of himself on Facebook wielding a traditional Japanese sword has now become a town crier against student protests.
The cheerleader for exemplary conduct in public order must have a say, even if it has little to do with him, but it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
What name do groups call themselves if they are doing the same actions?
What is the difference between a solidarity rally for a “home leave” for a convicted felon and a protest against corruption, and in the process burning a caricature of the prime minister?
Really, Akmal?
Being the leader of an organisation that had in the past desecrated the American flag and burnt effigies of its president, he is now pretending to be the cardinal virtue of temperance.
Yes, this tub-thumper Umno Youth chief, Dr Akmal Saleh, said student protesters who set fire to an image of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim were stupid and rude.
Being the leader of an organisation that had in the past desecrated the American flag and burnt effigies of its president, he is now pretending to be the cardinal virtue of temperance.
Yes, this tub-thumper Umno Youth chief, Dr Akmal Saleh, said student protesters who set fire to an image of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim were stupid and rude.
Really, Akmal? Rewind to December when you were clamouring for Najib’s pardon. Weren’t you the one who questioned Anwar’s pardon?
“A simple question for the attorney-general: when PMX (Anwar) received a pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at that time, was it brought before the Pardons Board?
“This is because, at the time, the cabinet had not even been formed yet. The people can judge for themselves,” Akmal said on social media.
So, is this tirade against the students atonement for past mistakes, or is it a case of “your enemies’ enemies are also my enemies”?
Why is it acceptable when Umno does it?
Look back, Akmal. Weren’t you the same Umno Youth leader who, on April 7, 2023, burned the Israeli flag to show solidarity with Palestinians during the Solidarity Rally with Palestine at Masjid Jamek, Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur last year?
Protesters burning the Israeli flag during a protest in Kuala Lumpur in October 2023
“Since we can’t go there, we express our anger by doing this (burning the flag) to show that our solidarity with Palestine will never fade,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.
Burning flags and caricatures is acceptable because it is a legitimate democratic protest. But why is that when you do it, it is acceptable, but when others do the same, it becomes rude and disrespectful?
Akmal will also remember the antics of another Umno rabble rouser, Jamal Yunos and his Red Shirt Brigade. Didn’t they protest on one issue or another at the drop of a hat?
They even turned up at the Malaysiakini office to protest, and at least two water bottles were thrown at the police.
“Since we can’t go there, we express our anger by doing this (burning the flag) to show that our solidarity with Palestine will never fade,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.
Burning flags and caricatures is acceptable because it is a legitimate democratic protest. But why is that when you do it, it is acceptable, but when others do the same, it becomes rude and disrespectful?
Akmal will also remember the antics of another Umno rabble rouser, Jamal Yunos and his Red Shirt Brigade. Didn’t they protest on one issue or another at the drop of a hat?
They even turned up at the Malaysiakini office to protest, and at least two water bottles were thrown at the police.
Jamal Yunos (holding mic) during the Red Shirts protest at the Malaysiakini office in November 2016
Jamal demanded that Malaysiakini disclose their financial statements and other documents, failing which he will lead his followers to “make sure part of the Malaysiakini office building is torn down on that day.”
Even KJ did it
Long before that, in 2008, perhaps when Akmal was studying medicine in Russia, the then Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin led a demonstration objecting to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s visit to Kuala Lumpur.
He declared: “From the people of Malaysia, we do not welcome Rice here. The government may invite you, but we do not welcome Rice here.”
Jamal demanded that Malaysiakini disclose their financial statements and other documents, failing which he will lead his followers to “make sure part of the Malaysiakini office building is torn down on that day.”
Even KJ did it
Long before that, in 2008, perhaps when Akmal was studying medicine in Russia, the then Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin led a demonstration objecting to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s visit to Kuala Lumpur.
He declared: “From the people of Malaysia, we do not welcome Rice here. The government may invite you, but we do not welcome Rice here.”
Former Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin
The then-prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, had to repudiate his son-in-law, Khairy, over the latter’s call for a boycott of British and US goods.
Then, there were those who “exercised their butts” in front of then Bersih leader Ambiga Sreenivasan’s house in 2012; “army veterans”, or were they members of the rent-a-mob connected to Umno?
“We armed forces veterans have the right to protest against an ‘enemy’ who tried to smear the nation’s name. We are giving a stern warning to Ambiga to immediately apologise to the Malaysian people regarding Bersih and free sex.”
Were they veterans or offshoots of the party? When veterans’ groups decried their actions, it was not difficult to conclude.
Then, there were those who “exercised their butts” in front of then Bersih leader Ambiga Sreenivasan’s house in 2012; “army veterans”, or were they members of the rent-a-mob connected to Umno?
“We armed forces veterans have the right to protest against an ‘enemy’ who tried to smear the nation’s name. We are giving a stern warning to Ambiga to immediately apologise to the Malaysian people regarding Bersih and free sex.”
Were they veterans or offshoots of the party? When veterans’ groups decried their actions, it was not difficult to conclude.
Didn’t Umno leaders in Penang tear up then-chief minister Koh Tsu Koon’s photo in 2007 for “not doing enough for the Malays”? Yes, the list is long.
Fast forward to Monday: Having built a career on street theatrics, there is a different role these days for Akmal.
As if the angel has descended from heaven to provide providence to “misguided” students, he wants to talk to the leaders of the protest.
What can he offer? A healing session? No, just another two minutes of fame on national television.
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who strives to uphold the ethos of civil rights leader John Lewis: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
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