Better a forced marriage than an unfaithful partner, Umno Youth chief says on govt

Umno's participation in the formation of the coalition government after the 15th general election was like a forced marriage but a forced marriage is better than an unfaithful partner, says Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

In his comparison, Akmal said that although some of the parties that formed the government today had never worked together or had no "chemistry", that was no reason not to ensure equality and equity for the good of the country.

"Some people say that we are in a forced marriage but our parents, our grandparents, they didn't even know each other when they got married.

"If people are in love for 10 years but during the first year of marriage, the man cheats, what is the point?

"If we want to remain in the unity government, we must do three things: respect each other, understand each other and trust each other," he said when speaking at the Unity Government National Youth Convention 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre.

Akmal also called for the wings of the parties which are part of the government to reject differences and find common ground, to guarantee political stability.

Angkatan Muda Harapan chief Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen meanwhile said that every difference should be seen as a strength, not as an obstacle, to build unity.

"For me, in every struggle, in every work we do, the foundation is unity. Without unity we have no stability, without stability we have no development, without development we have no transformation and without transformation we have no well-being.

"I stand here with the leaders (of other political parties) to rebuild this beloved country on the basis and principles of respect and courtesy towards all races, religions and nations, and all these backgrounds are the foundation of the formation of the beloved nation of Malaysia," he said.