KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth is not forcing DAP to apologise for its past allegations against the party, but this would be the best way to "cool down temperatures" says Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
"We can't force anyone to apologise. I was not speaking in a personal capacity but only conveying the uneasiness voiced by the grassroots on how to make things better with those who have berated Umno, and the best way is for DAP to apologise to Umno," the Umno Youth chief said at a press conference during the Umno general assembly here on Saturday (June 10).
He said the movement decided to make the call for an apology from DAP now because state elections will be held soon.
"If they don't apologise, it will give rise to uneasiness among party supporters and voters.
"This is the fastest way to cool down temperatures," he said, adding that they would not retract its call for an apology.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said there was no need for DAP to apologise as the matter had been resolved during negotiations to form the unity government.
Meanwhile, Dr Akmal said there was no bad blood between Umno Youth and their counterparts under the unity government despite their calls for an apology from DAP.
"I want to stress that the relationship between us and other youth wings under the unity government is very good.
"We recently concluded the unity government convention and everything went extremely well," he said.
Dr Akmal added that he has since contacted Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, who is also DAP Youth chief.
"I just texted him. We will be meeting in a day or two to discuss how the youth wings under Pakatan and Barisan Nasional will work together in the coming state elections," he said.
Asked if DAP were to apologise but sought a similar apology from Umno, Dr Akmal said this would be a good thing.
"We had our justifications for seeking an apology. If they want us to reciprocate, they must have solid reasons for it," he added.
