Akmal condemns firebomb attacks, calls for stern action

 

A petrol bomb was thrown at a KK Mart shop in Kuantan today. Several items caught fire, but the blaze was put out by staff.

PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has condemned the second firebombing of a KK Mart store in Kuantan, Pahang, calling for stern action against the perpetrators.

Akmal urged those taking part in the boycott of the convenience store chain to conduct it maturely, without resorting to violence.

He rejected the notion linking the call for boycott to the series of firebombings, Astro Awani reported.

“The suggestion that calls for boycott led to firebombings is not true. The call for boycott is not wrong, as it is similar to the boycott movement being carried out against Israeli products.

“I don’t see Muslims and Malays wanting to set McDonald’s or Starbucks on fire,” he said.

“I believe there are parties trying to take advantage of the situation. (But) let’s not make assumptions,” he was quoted as saying.

The first incident of a Molotov cocktail being thrown at a KK Mart store occurred on Tuesday in Bidor, Perak.

Dr Akmal Saleh.

Akmal, who is assemblyman for Merlimau, Melaka, said it is important that the public refrain from speculating on the matter, while authorities are investigating.

The KK Mart controversy began on March 13 when photographs of socks imprinted with the word “Allah” were circulated on social media showing them at a KK Mart shop in Bandar Sunway.

The company has issued an apology, but Akmal has continued to publicly campaign for a nationwide boycott of the convenience store chain.

His actions have drawn criticism from many quarters, with former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin urging Akmal to stop hitting out at KK Mart as “you have (already) got your point across”.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has also called for those instigating the boycott of KK Mart to stop inciting the people or take responsibility for the recent firebombing of its outlets.

KK Mart’s founder and director, Chai Kee Kan and Loh Siew Mui, were charged in court on Tuesday with intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by selling the socks. - FMT