Malacca CM defends Akmal over 'Allah' socks issue

Malacca Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh has defended Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's vocal stance on the issue involving socks bearing the word Allah, as it was based on concrete reasons.

According to Rauf, the reaction of Akmal, who is also the Merlimau assemblyperson-cum-Malacca state exco, represented the voice of Muslims across the country who are upset about the issue.

"The placement of the word Allah on socks has hurt the feelings of Malaysian Muslims. We should respect each other's religions.

"Akmal's vocal stance (on the matter) represents the feelings of all Malays who are offended by the unscrupulous act of the factory in printing and selling the socks. Politics should not change one's stance on religion," Astro Awani quoted Rauf as saying after attending a breaking of fast function in Ayer Keroh, last night.

Elaborating, Rauf (above) said the socks issue should be solved pragmatically, and all quarters should take extra care to prevent a recurrence.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh

"Such an issue should not have happened in this country, as we have a social contract to respect each other.

"When the word Allah is not put where it should, it is bound to upset the Muslims, because religion is a sensitive topic," he said.

Earlier this week, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing urged Umno leaders, as well as Rauf, to restrain Akmal over the latter's continued boycott calls against convenience store KK Mart, where the offensive socks were found.

This controversy surfaced last week when images of the Miranosock socks sold at a KK Mart outlet in Bandar Sunway went viral on social media.

Following the uproar, KK Mart apologised to all its customers, particularly the Muslim community, and confirmed that immediate actions had been taken to halt the sale of the socks.

Akmal has been vocal about the issue, urging for a boycott against KK Mart should the chain fail to display banners apologising for the incident. He also urged the public to make police reports on the matter.