THE UMNO Supreme Council has unanimously agreed with the actions of its youth wing chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh in relation to the “Allah” socks controversy, said party secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
“The issue of UMNO Youth’s (actions) was discussed at the Supreme Council meeting today. The Supreme Council fully supports the UMNO Youth chief’s stand,” Asyraf said at a press conference at Menara Dato Onn here following the top UMNO leadership’s meeting on Friday (March 22).
This is despite Akmal drawing flak from various quarters over the matter over his persistent call for a boycott of KK Mart convenience stores.
Recall that DAP’s Nga Kor Ming 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.
Despite advice that the issue not be prolonged, a defiant Akmal had claimed that calls to boycott KK Mart stores had nothing to do with gaining political mileage but that it was to defend Islam against insult.
However, Asyraf assured that the issue will not affect ties between the various parties within the unity government, adding that all Cabinet leaders still respect UMNO’s stance on the matter.
“Nothing will be affected, what is important in the earlier statement is that UMNO will continue to defend the sanctity of Islam. In fact, we have put forward four conditions and two agreements that were signed before we agreed to join the unity government,” he stated.
“One of UMNO’s conditions is to not trifle with anything related to the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation. Up to this day, all leaders in the unity government have the utmost respect for that particular stance.” – March 22, 2024
