KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 -- Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said that the party remains grounded in principle, insisting it will not be swayed by political pressure.

He said Umno is open to cooperation with any political party, but will never compromise on what he described as the "red lines" of its struggle.

"I want to make it clear that Umno is a party founded on principles. Umno is not a party that simply follows the prevailing winds.

"In any cooperation, we will never support or endorse negativity," he said in his speech during Umno 80th anniversary here today.

Akmal also dismissed claims that he and other party leaders were politically vulnerable.

"There are people who claim that I am merely a 'passing figure', and that...