'Only sharing sustenance, no intention of winning votes' - Dr Akmal

Focus

By NORHASPIDA YATIM

14 Jul 2023 08:14pm

Umno Youth chief Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh - FILE PIX

KUALA TERENGGANU - Umno Youth chief Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh has denied the allegations of bribing students with money

during a programme with Form Six students in Hulu Terengganu last Wednesday.

He clarifies that the money, which had his picture and name on the envelope, was given as a gift to the participants of the programme who admitted to following his TikTok account.

"I checked TikTok, and I saw that four people were following me, so I gave money to those four who were the earliest to follow me, with the intention of giving them charity.

"When giving (money), I wouldn't just hand it over like that.

"There must be an envelope, and coincidentally, at that time, the only envelope I had was the one I used to give contributions to everyone," he told reporters recently.

Dr. Muhamad Akmal had previously held a meeting with the students at the Closing Ceremony of the Joint Motivation Program of Malay Peninsula Students Association (GPMS) in Terengganu and attended a Icon Talk in Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu.

He stated that he had no intention of gaining votes, especially since the program was organized by a non-governmental organization (NGO) and attended by students.

However, he mentioned that this incident would serve as a lesson because it had been spread on social media.

"If it was corruption, then there would be an 'oath' involved. That is corruption, swearing to vote for Party A or Party B.

"This time, I gave without any intention. It's up to them whom they want to vote for.

"What matters is that we give sincerely and there are no issues. This issue arises because those 'on the other side' are lacking issues to 'attack' us (BN). But it's okay; I take it as a positive (lesson), maybe I made a mistake," he said.

Last Wednesday, allegations spread on social media claiming that the Merlimau state assemblyman had distributed money to participants of the program with the aim of garnering support and votes for BN in the upcoming state elections on August 12.