KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth wants DAP to apologise for making allegations against the party in the past.
"If DAP wants to soothe the feelings of Umno members and are sincere in forging friendships, we ask them to retract their previous allegations against us," said Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
He said if DAP could fly to Sarawak to meet GPS to apologise when forming the unity government they could do the same with Umno.
He added the request for an apology from DAP leaders had to be made immediately before heading into the state polls, which would pacify the hearts of the Umno grassroots.
On the absence of guests such as from DAP at the Youth assembly, he said that it was decided not to extend the invitation to other parties.
"It's not that we don't want to be together (with other parties), but I believe that this gathering, the first after the formation of the unity government, should be a platform for us to resolve matters among ourselves," he said at the Youth wing's meeting on Thursday (June 8).
Addressing concerns among party grassroots on joining the unity government, of which DAP is also a part of, Dr Akmal said Umno would never be silenced over issues such as the royal institution, religion, special rights and education of the Malays.
"Umno Youth assures that Umno will never be DAP," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Akmal said that Umno helped put an end to political instability affecting the nation by joining the unity government.
"After the GE15, no single party had a simple majority to form the government. This courted a repeat of the political drama and instability affecting the country.
"The King decreed that Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional needed to form a unity government for the stability and prosperity of the people and nation.
"But Perikatan, due to its arrogance, rejected this and Umno had to step in to put a stop to the political polemics," he said.
Dr Akmal added that as part of the unity government, Umno must take the lead in championing the Malays and Islam while taking into account the interests of other races.
He also reminded delegates not to belittle those who are not with Umno but instead attempt to win them over as support for the party had been waning.
He said that support for Umno was at 38.5% during the 12th General Election (GE12) and slipped further to 21.4% in GE15.
Meanwhile, Dr Akmal announced that it would now be mandatory for all Umno youth division chiefs to possess a diploma qualification at minimum.
He said Umno Youth would assist those without a diploma to obtain one as voters were not only looking for capable leaders but also those who are qualified to address issues.
