Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh remains steadfast in his call for a boycott of KK Mart over the "Allah" socks issue, despite an appeal from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia to resolve the matter swiftly. Sultan Ibrahim expressed his desire to end the controversy after meeting with KK Mart Group executive chairman Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, who offered an apology to the King over the incident.
Despite the royal appeal, Dr Akmal insists on continuing the boycott, stating, "Did the King ask to stop the boycott?" He launched the boycott after socks bearing the Arabic word for "Allah" were found for sale at a KK Mart outlet in Selangor last month.
Dr Akmal received endorsement from the Umno supreme council for his position, telling KK Mart to seek a new line of business, indicating that he did not intend for the boycott to end. However, the situation escalated when KK Mart outlets became targets of arson attacks, starting with one in Perak and followed by another in Sarawak, a symbol of Malaysia's multiculturalism.
Defending his stance, Dr Akmal clarified that the boycott was not an incitement to violence, stating, "The people have made their decision without any coercion. Keep calm and boycott peacefully." However, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin claimed that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi instructed Dr Akmal to stop escalating the socks controversy, suggesting a divide within Umno regarding the issue.
This contradicted party secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki's earlier statement supporting Dr Akmal on the controversy and related matters. Meanwhile, Chai and his wife have been charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code for intentional incitement on religious grounds, adding a legal dimension to the ongoing dispute.
The boycott and its aftermath highlight the complex interplay between religious sensitivities, freedom of expression, and political dynamics in Malaysia. It underscores the challenges of navigating issues related to religion and identity in a diverse society, where different groups may have conflicting views on what constitutes acceptable behavior. As the controversy continues, it remains to be seen how it will impact the relationships between different communities and political actors in Malaysia.
Reference: Despite King’s call for closure, Umno Youth chief says no let up on KK Mart boycott | Malay Mail
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