“That was his past!” – Dr Akmal Defends Unlicensed Balloon Trader With Criminal Record

According to a source from PDRM, the viral balloon trader involved in a physical dispute with DBKL enforcers has 13 criminal records, mostly drug-related.

UMNO Youth Chief once again weighed in on the matter and said the past is past, and it does not warrant anyone to oppress the balloon trader.

In his Facebook post last night (April 5), Dr Akmal Saleh clarified that he was not helping the balloon trader due to his criminal records but merely to get him justice for being oppressed during the viral incident. This came after UMNO Youth was accused of helping criminals and extending help before researching someone’s past.

To Akmal, the mindset of not aiding someone just because of his past has to be changed.

“Just because the balloon trader has criminal records, does that grant you the right to treat him like an animal?”

“Even if he had 100 criminal records, those were his past. We’re helping him for the mistreatment and the oppression he faced,” he said.

In the meantime, Akmal explained that if someone with a criminal record does not deserve to be helped and should be oppressed, here’s what would happen.

“If you stick to that mindset of yours, many ministers today wouldn’t have been ministers. What about the ministers’ sons with drug-related cases?”

Akmal reiterated that despite the balloon trader’s past, UMNO Youth will stay committed to helping the trader.

Following the viral dispute, the balloon trader was hospitalised due to injuries, and after admitting that he carried no valid business license, he revealed that he was not aware of the procedures to apply for the license. 

On the other hand, the DBKL enforcers involved in the matter have been suspended from duties as the investigation continues. DBKL also clarified that the balloon vendor got physical first after receiving three verbal warnings.

What do you think of Akmal’s take on this?

Also read: DBKL Raids Multiple Stalls Run by Unlicensed Foreigners Around KLCC, Pavilion & More During Raya