A Chinese primary school in Port Dickson recently came under fire after the Jalur Gemilang was mistakenly displayed upside down by a worker with disabilities (OKU).
The incident drew public backlash, with UMNO Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh among those who shared their views. Following his comments, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) called him out for being “inconsistent and hypocritical in the issue of the upside-down flag,” prompting Akmal to hit back with, “Please give them a mirror and an OKU (disabled) card as well.”
DAPSY calls for Akmal Saleh to step down
In response, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) has called for Dr Akmal Saleh to resign over the remark he made.
In a statement to WORLD OF BUZZ, DAPSY said the demand comes in response to Akmal’s use of the phrase as an insult during a political attack against DAP Youth.
“This behaviour is utterly inexcusable and shows that he is completely unfit to hold public office,” the statement read.
DAP Socialist Youth
“He has no place in the future of national politics”
DAPSY also stressed that Akmal’s comments were far from a careless mistake, calling them a “profound moral and ethical failure.”
“Using the identity of a vulnerable group (people who have no control over their disabilities) as a political weapon is cruel and indefensible. It shows a shocking lack of empathy and a clear disregard for the dignity of all Malaysians.”
They added that a leader, especially one meant to represent the youth, should stand for unity, empathy, and compassion, not spread hate or mock those who are different.
“His actions prove that he has no place in the future of national politics. We won’t tolerate leaders who rely on hateful and discriminatory rhetoric to score political points,”
“Dr. Akmal’s behaviour is a stain on his position and a betrayal of the people he claims to serve. We remain firm in our demand for his immediate resignation as UMNO Youth Chief,” they concluded.
“Such remarks could undo years of hard work”
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Kusha from DAPSY Malaysia warned about the dangers of making such remarks, describing it as “a step backwards for a society that’s working toward inclusivity.”
“It pushes the false and harmful idea that having a disability is a weakness or a defect worthy of scorn. This kind of thinking is especially damaging for disabled youth, who are already facing a tough time finding jobs. When a well-known political leader publicly links disability to incompetence or mockery, it breathes new life into outdated prejudices.”
She added that comments like these can hurt the confidence of young disabled job seekers and make some employers even more hesitant to give them a chance.
“Remarks like this undo years of hard work by activists and advocates who have fought to shift the public mindset, from seeing disability as something to pity, to seeing it with respect and fairness. It sends the message that being disabled can be turned into a political punchline, and that’s incredibly disheartening. It makes young people feel like they’re seen as less capable, less valuable, and less worthy of opportunity.”
Kusaaliny Mahendran
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