SEPANG – Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh remains defiant in the face of a sedition probe, saying he is ready to confront any legal action amid his calls to boycott convenience store chain KK Mart.
Akmal’s resolve comes in response to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain’s announcement that investigation papers concerning him will reach the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) soon.
“We note that the IGP said the (investigation papers) will be sent to the AGC next week. We will see how it goes,” the Merlimau assemblyman said when met by reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.
“We are ready to face (it). If (I am to be) charged in court, we will not budge. We will be ready to face all this with the appointed lawyers.”
Akmal had just returned from Kota Kinabalu after attending a Kembara Ramadan programme with Sabah Umno Youth members, but was detained twice by police there.
Yesterday, Razarudin confirmed that Akmal was being probed under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, following his speeches and actions on the sale of “Allah”-printed socks by KK Mart.
Akmal also explained that his detention yesterday was related to a speech he had given in Kelantan, which incorporated elements of the controversial socks issue – in line with Razarudin’s announcement.
However, Akmal asserted that his speech was not seditious and that consumers had a right to engage in a boycott.
“We did not do anything wrong… if we refer back, my speech did not contain any elements of sedition, and we remain steadfast on this,” he said.
However, he expressed his commitment to cooperating with police should he be recalled for further questioning.
When asked about the extent of the ongoing boycotts, Akmal reiterated that they would only end once all affected Muslims have “stopped hurting”.
“(The boycotts will continue) until all the hearts are healed. It depends on the Muslims to see if they are still affected or not. It is very subjective,” he said.
Akmal has been vocal over the issue and has consistently pushed for a boycott, insisting it is to protect the sanctity of Islam and not for any political gain.
The controversy began after KK Mart and its supplier, 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.
The company subsequently apologised, while its founder Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan and a KK Mart director claimed trial to wounding religious sentiments. Three officers from Xin Jian Chang, the Batu Pahat-based vendor that supplied KK Mart with the socks, were also charged.
Three KK Mart outlets have since been attacked with gasoline bombs, which Akmal has condemned.
After meeting Chai on Wednesday, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim urged the KK Mart founder to exercise greater caution when selling imported products. The King also warned against other quarters exploiting the situation and inciting the public, stressing the importance of resolving the matter promptly. – April 6, 2024