KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s repeated calls for a boycott of KK Mart over socks printed with “Allah” will damage national harmony, according to Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Akmal is being “arrogant” since the convenience store chain has apologised, and Tiong urged Umno’s leadership to view the youth chief’s actions seriously to prevent him from using the wing as a platform to “chase his personal agenda”.
“Akmal should not ride on this issue to gain personal political mileage, which will eventually jeopardise the harmony of this nation’s multi-racial society,” the minister said in a statement on Facebook.
He was responding to Akmal’s latest call for a boycott of KK Mart, after various calls for caution from other members of Pakatan Harapan, which is Umno’s ally in the unity government.
“He must refrain from taking advantage of this issue to become a hero. Such a ‘sensational’ style is embarrassing, and not the right way to be championed as a young political figure,” Tiong added.
Tiong also advised all parties against “fueling the fire that has died down” by persisting on a boycott of KK Mart over the incident, noting that an apology has been issued.
The company should be allowed to rectify its errors, the minister added.
Tiong said KK Mart had contributed to society, especially in boosting the economy and creating jobs.
Should controversy over the socks drag on, the livelihoods of its employees across 800 outlets nationwide could be affected, he added.
On Saturday, KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Seri K.K. Chai apologised in a press conference, explaining that the socks were imported from China and were among 1,200 other pairs, each with different designs.
Although admitting that he did not do a full inspection of every pair, Chai stressed that only three outlets carried the socks.
Today, KK Mart’s vendor, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd which imported the socks, also apologised, saying the shipment was not intended, and was mulling legal action against its China-based supplier for failing to follow specific instructions.
The Batu Pahat-based importer also said there were only five socks with “Allah” printed on them, out of a larger shipment of 18,800 socks received.
Despite the apology, 42 police reports have been lodged nationwide to date, and police are investigating the matter. – March 19, 2024