Press Statement
I will be there at the store in Penang on Thursday to educate Akmal Saleh that his actions are wrongful & to protect the store-owner from bullying & intimidation
12 August 2025
I refer to the statement issued by UMNO Youth Chief Akmal Saleh yesterday where he threatened again to “educate” the hardware store owner in Penang & hold a protest over the flag issue if the store-owner is not charged by Wednesday.
This statement is an open public declaration of planned criminal acts by Akmal, including criminal intimidation, trespass and breach of peace. It is getting ridiculous that he is getting away with this public misconduct. Why are the police and Madani government staying silent over his antics? Do they condone it? Is there still law and order in this country?
The ordinary public is stunned that Akmal continues to harass and bully the store-owner, using his position as an elected assemblymen and part of the ruling government, to act with impunity. This politician, bereft of any good sense, is gathering a mob to intimidate and bully a member of the public. And no one in authority seems prepared to put a stop to it.
For all their talk about safeguarding racial unity, this government is turning a blind eye when one of their own stokes the fires of hatred. Akmal is not some random individual with no clout, he is a politician with the backing of Umno which is a key component of the government. His reckless and irresponsible statements can create strife and conflict among Malaysians.
We at Lawyers for Liberty are duty-bound to protect the public from oppression and intimidation, and uphold their human rights. If the government will not step in, I will take the necessary action to defuse the situation and protect the store-owner from illegal bullying and intimidation. I will be there at the store in Penang on Thursday to meet with Akmal and educate him that his actions are wrongful, and advise him to comply with the nation’s laws, including by not carrying out acts of intimidation or criminal trespass. I will advise him that he must not fan the flames of hatred within our society or harass ordinary members of the public through threats of vigilantism or mob tyranny. I will do this entirely by peaceful means. If necessary, I will stand there alone against Akmal and his mob.
I call upon all right-thinking Malaysians who are tired of this type of harassment and bullying from politicians like Akmal to make this stand with me, peacefully and in the spirit of Malaysian unity. It is time to draw a line in the sand against bigotry, prejudice, bullying and race-baiting. Let us do what this government will not, and stand firmly against the bullying of common folk by politicians with privilege and power.
#MsiansAgainstBullying
Issued by,
Zaid Malek
Director
Lawyers For Liberty