KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth has gathered a group of lawyers to help its chief, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who is being investigated for sedition amid the fiasco involving “Allah”-printed socks sold at KK Mart.
In a Facebook post, Umno Youth executive committee member Muhamad Aizat Noor Azam invited those interested in joining the legal team to contact him or other wing members.
“Following (Akmal’s) detention in Kota Kinabalu regarding the case of defending the sanctity of the word ‘Allah’, we at the Umno Youth Public Complaints and Legal Bureau have established a team of lawyers who will assist (him),” he said in a Facebook post.
This morning, Akmal posted on Facebook about his detention at the Sabah capital, insisting he will not “surrender” or back off from his stance on the issue.
He has since been released and allowed to attend a buka puasa event at Beaufort, about 100km from Kota Kinabalu.
At the same time, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the authorities are investigating Akmal under the Sedition Act 1948 over his actions and speeches amid the KK Mart fiasco.
The controversy began after KK Mart and its manufacturer, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, were caught selling several “Allah”-printed socks, resulting in outrage in the Muslim community and boycott calls from certain quarters.
Akmal has been vocal over the issue and has consistently pushed for a boycott, asserting it is to protect the sanctity of Islam and not for political gain. – April 5, 2024