DAP man: Don’t follow Umno’s Akmal in ‘Allah’ sock issue

Democratic Action Party (DAP) member Soo Tien Ren is hoping that politicians in Sarawak will not follow Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh in reacting to the KK Mart ‘Allah’ sock controversy.

In voicing concerns over Akmal’s approach, the special assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen said the Umno man should not assume the roles of law enforcement or judiciary in the issue.

“While it is evident that KK Mart and the manufacturer mishandled the issue and should face investigation and appropriate repercussions, the process must be conducted by the police through legal proceedings and in accordance with established laws.

“It is regrettable to see Akmal disregard the idea of rule of law in one of his TikTok videos, claiming that if the same incident happened overseas, people would have burned down the shop.

“Akmal is not the police, nor is he a judge, and he should not act like one,” Soo said in a statement yesterday, adding that Akmal’s suggestion of resorting to violence was unacceptable, particularly coming from a state assemblyman.

Acknowledging the existing barriers between communities in Malaysia, Soo underscored the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding.

“Leaders have a responsibility to address the sensitivities of different communities, while criticism and reprimand of KK Mart and the manufacturer are warranted.

“However, Akmal’s assertion that violence would ensue elsewhere is chilling and undermines the foundation of our legal system,” he said.

Hence, Soo said politicians in Sarawak must denounce such remarks and uphold the rule of law and also promote openness and diversity.

The ‘Allah’ sock controversy erupted after socks embroidered with the word ‘Allah’ were found sold at a KK Super Mart outlet, sparking public outrage.