KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh has brushed off rebukes by unity government allies and persists in his calls to boycott KK Mart for selling socks printed with the word “Allah”.
Taking to Facebook in a series of different posts, he told DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke he did not need DAP’s “permission” to defend Islam.
“Whoever you are, I’m not afraid and I’m not shaken. Fullstop! Maintain the boycott!” Akmal said in one post.
In another post also aimed at Loke, Akmal said: “This isn’t a matter of racism, it is a matter of maintaining Islam’s purity. If there are any parties that defame Islam, regardless of race or political belief, we will always oppose them.”
“The one who makes this a racial issue is you!!! Shame on u. Maintain the boycott of KK Mart.”
In a separate post, he told off Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, telling the Sarawak politician to “look in the mirror first”.
“Even if I have no post, I will still defend my religion, race and homeland!!!” said Akmal, who is also Merlimau assemblyman in Melaka, and state exco for the health and anti-drugs portfolio.
Yesterday, Loke, who is also transport minister, said Akmal should stop harping on a boycott and should be a “bridge builder” between communities, instead of inciting feelings.
Tiong, meanwhile, told Akmal to stop “fueling the fire that has died down” especially since KK Mart had apologised and said its mistake was unintentional.
KK Mart issued an apology last week after its Bandar Sunway branch was found to be selling the offending socks, of which there were only five pairs in a shipment of 18,800 pairs.
Police are investigating the matter after more than 40 reports were lodged. – March 20, 2024