# Muhamad Akmal Saleh

Muhamad Akmal bin Saleh (Jawi: محمد اکمال صالح, Malay pronunciation:; born 2 July 1988) is a Malaysian politician and doctor who has served as Member of the Malacca State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Barisan Nasional (BN) state administration under Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh since April 2023 for the second term and under former Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali from November 2021 to March 2023 for the first term as well as a Member of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Merlimau since November 2021. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the BN coalition. He has served as the 15th Youth Chief of UMNO and Division Chief of UMNO Jasin since March 2023.

## Early life and education

Muhamad Akmal bin Saleh was born in Merlimau, Malacca, Malaysia. He received his early education at SMK Dato' Abdul Rahman Ya'akob, Merlimau, Malacca and Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh, Perak. Then, he got higher education at Melaka Matriculation College for a year before continuing his studies at Russian State Medical University in the field of medicine.

## Political career

Muhamad Akmal served as the Head of the UMNO Overseas Club (Russia) from 2010 to 2012. He was also appointed as the Head of the Medical Team of the UMNO Welfare Bureau in 2017. In 2018, he was appointed as the Head of UMNO Youth Merlimau Tengah Branch (2018-2021) and Head of Movement Jasin Division UMNO Youth (2018–2021).
In 2018, after Barisan Nasional's defeat in 13th General Election, he won unopposed for the position of Jasin Division UMNO Youth Movement leader. He was nominated as a Barisan Nasional candidate for the N28 Merlimau seat in the 2021 Malacca state election. He won with a majority of 3248, the highest majority for the entire state of Melaka.
Muhamad Akmal was elected to the Melaka State Legislative Assembly in the 2021 Malacca state election on 20 November 2021, winning the seat of Merlimau from Roslan Ahmad also of the BN coalition. In addition, he was also appointed as Member of the Melaka State EXCO in charge of Health and Anti-drugs by 12th Chief Minister Sulaiman on 26 November 2021. He was reappointed as a Member of the Melaka State EXCO in charge of Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security by 13th Chief Minister Ab Rauf on 5 April 2023.

## Controversies and issues
### Allah word on socks at KK Super Mart

Muhamad Akmal has called on all Muslims and Malays in Malaysia to boycott KK Super Mart for insulting the word of God. He also reminded KK Mart or any party that the power to buy is in our hands (Malay peoples) and never play with the sentiment and sensitivity of the "3R" (religion, race and royalty). Muhamad Akmal also added in his statement to urge KK Super Mart to put up banners in all its 881 branches in Malaysia to apologize to Muslims regarding this statement. His statement was supported by Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. His political opponents and supporters allege That he is using the controversy as a dog whistles that uses language that appears normal to the majority but communicates specific things to intended audiences which are generally used to convey messages on issues to provoke controversy without attracting negative attention. This had brought his UMNO youth party edging towards the path of the right-wing to garner support from the bottom forty electorates that alienate moderates and non-Muslims.

### Found guilty against elder brother for libel

In December 2023, the Melaka sessions court ordered state executive councilor Dr Akmal Saleh to pay RM45,000 in damages to his elder brother after finding him liable for defamation. Dr Solehin Saleh filed the suit against Akmal in September 2023. In the claim, Solehin said his brother had, in a Facebook post on 26 August 2022, libeled him by describing him as an individual in debt and claiming he had maliciously posted negative comments about Akmal using a fake account. Solehin claimed the comments implied that he was a cheat, immoral, lacking in integrity, and an irresponsible elder brother.

## Personal life

Muhamad Akmal is married to Dr. Fatin Nadhirah Idrus and was blessed with two sons, namely Muhamad Ziyad Muhamad Akmal and Muhamad Ali Muhamad Akmal.

## Election results

Malacca State Legislative Assembly :
| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout |
| 2021 | N27 Merlimau | | Muhamad Akmal Saleh (UMNO) | 5,633 | 58.43% | | Azrin Abdul Majid (AMANAH) | 2,385 | 24.74% | 9,640 | 3,248 | 68.79% |
| 2021 | N27 Merlimau | | Muhamad Akmal Saleh (UMNO) | 5,633 | 58.43% | | Abdul Alim Shapie (PAS) | 1,622 | 16.83% | 9,640 | 3,248 | 68.79% |

## Honours

* Malacca :
** Companion Class I of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DMSM) – Datuk (2024)