AN UMNO Youth leader said he would rather lose his position than give up his responsibility to defend Islam in the “Allah” socks controversy issue.
Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said he remains unfazed by other party leaders’ reprimand on the issue as he was confident that his actions were in line with UMNO’s struggle to defend the rights and dignity of Malays and Muslims.
“I would be lying if I said (my actions) have no impact (on the unity government). I don’t mind DAP or any other ministers attacking me (on this issue) but I stand by my religion,” the party’s youth wing chief told the Malay daily.
“It doesn’t bother me and the people can judge me. If Nga Kor Ming says my actions can cost UMNO support, I tell him that this is UMNO’s reaction when someone mocks Islam.”
“I would rather lose my position as I have already done my part to defend my religion. This position is only secondary.”
DAP’s Nga had recently called on Akmal to cease inciting racial and religious sentiments over the KK Mart “Allah” socks debacle, saying that his reaction is harmful and may end up backfiring on UMNO.
On March 19, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook also said DAP did not agree with Akmal’s methods in rebuking KK Mart and went on to question if Akmal would react the same way if it involved a Muslim-owned company.
In response to this, Akmal said on Facebook that it was not about race, but about safeguarding the sanctity of Islam.
“If this had involved a Muslim-owned shop, wee will boycott it more severely, and if this happens, will DAP and MCA defend our actions?” he said to Utusan Malaysia.
“They were the ones who raised this issue. We did not attack them nor did touch on other religions, but someone had touched on our religion and we responded. Why should we be worried?”
On this matter, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that he has asked Akmal to handle the matter courteously.
While stressing the need for the issue to be dealt with immediately and not taken lightly by anyone, Zahid said the matter must not be taken advantage of by those with a specific agenda.
The UMNO president said that while the government is confident that this will not happen again in the future, immediate steps will be taken to prevent the present situation from escalating.
Images of the socks sold at KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway store first came under the limelight on social media last Wednesday, which elicited the anger of many Muslims who considered it an insult to their faith.
KK Mart Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai has since apologised over the issue. – March 21, 2024
Main pic credit: Kosmo Digital
