Lim said employing a controversial and “extremist” approach to canvass Malay support was wrong, regardless if it was Umno or Perikatan Nasional doing so.

The Bagan MP added that Khairy appeared to be a very different politician compared with three years ago when he was sacked from Umno.

“Back then, Khairy espoused a non-racial line and progressive policies that he portrayed as fair and beneficial to all Malaysians.

“Clearly, Khairy’s attempt to whitewash Akmal’s unacceptable and irresponsible acts demonstrates that both Umno and Khairy are fake progressives.

“Those who placed some expectations and even hope in Khairy can now see that both Khairy and Umno have proven that a leopard cannot change its spots,” he said in a statement.

Lim also said Umno had shown its blatant hunger for power by attempting to unseat Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun and declaring its intention to contest all 56 seats in the next Johor state election.

Yesterday, Khairy said there was a place for the “old political script” that Akmal followed to woo Malay voters, and that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi likely tolerated it because PN dominated the electorate’s support.

He said the Umno Youth chief had traditionally been the party’s “battering ram”, and that it risked losing Malay support if Akmal did not even try to woo the political right.