COMPARED to the earlier attempts to play up racial and religious sentiments which could lead to social unrest in the country, this time the police and some politicians acted fast.
They deserve to be given a bouquet of flowers for handling the issue well.
An image of a receipt by the Domino’s Pizza outlet in Bayan Lepas, Penang’s carrying a highly seditious statement against Islam first went viral on the social media after it was posted on social media X by user @Update1111.
Resit Domino’s
Domino pizza sg ara,𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗽𝗮𝘀
𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗩𝗢𝗞 𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗶
𝗔pa hal yg pkai nama ID tp tulis hina islam❓ pic.twitter.com/GKRY2HM3Np— #UpdateInfo🇲🇾🌍 (@update11111) May 15, 2024
Apparently, this revelation created a stir within probably the same rabble rousers who are ready to influence others to boycott the pizza franchise.
If not for some critical thinking, one would have easily fallen into the trap thinking it was some non-Muslim staff who are once again playing on a sensitive note.
Thankfully, the fire was doused – thanks to the rapid-fire action of Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz – before the matter had reached the ears of a defiant political leader who is also a Russia-trained medical doctor down south.
Instead of kicking up a big fuss – and playing up the religious sentiments of his fellow Muslims – the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Amanah lawmaker visited the outlet within his constituency to carry out an investigation.
Along with the outlet’s northern region manager Mohd Shukri Salem, the duo was able to establish a few key facts, notably (i) the seditious statement on the receipt was not the work of any of Domino’s Pizza staff; and (ii) the receipt was issued based on an online order which was received at about 3.03pm on May 15.
If both Azrul and Mohd Shukri had not met to discuss, Domino’s Pizza could be the next boycott target associated with the anti-Zionist sentiment.
Rapid action saves the day
If one were to use the same rationale as in the KK Super Mart incident, surely a staff at Domino’s Pizza or the delivery boy should have checked the receipt but suffice to say that staff at that low level would hardly bother to check every detail.
A TikTok video was immediately launched by a pro-DAP influencer Thaqib Shaker who urged the Muslim community not to believe this was the fault of the pizza chain.
At the same time, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid also went on social media to quell any form of unrest while calling for calmness to prevail.
The DAP lawmaker also immediately condemned the act of provocation but it is common for someone in her position to attract what appears to be either her critics or just cybertroopers using fake accounts.
Swift police action
Upon receiving the police report at 8.46pm on Wednesday (May 15), the Teluk Kumbar police station immediately acted on the case.
Police superintendent for Penang Southwest district Kamarul Rizal Jenal immediately issued a statement to warn the public that the case is now investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code for deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person.
If convicted, the individual(s) – in this case likely the purchaser whose name appears on the receipt – could face a maximum jail sentence of up to one year or a fine or both.
Perhaps, this is one good example of how with some wisdom and good public relations, Azrul and the others have managed to stop the fire from spreading.
Would this not be a good lesson to learn for the youthful UMNO firebrand Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh who appears to have now distanced himself from others, including his own colleagues in the Melaka state EXCO? – May 19, 2024
