PETALING JAYA, Oct 26 — Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh says he is prepared to give up his bid to defend the Merlimau state seat in the Melaka election on November 14 if the court case he faces hurts Umno and Barisan Nasional’s chances at the polls.

According to Berita Harian, Dr Akmal said he had conveyed his position to Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, stressing that the party’s interests must come before his personal ambitions.

“If this case is seen as something that could tarnish the party’s image, I have told the Umno president that I am willing not to contest if I am considered a burden to the party’s chances of winning,” he was quoted as saying.

The 38-year-old said Umno had entrusted him with defending the Merlimau seat, although the final decision would only be known on nomination day. He added that he was also prepared to make way for another candidate if the party believed someone else stood a better chance of securing victory.

On August 22 last year, Dr Akmal pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code over a Facebook post allegedly causing public alarm. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.