Aliran has urged party leaders to rein in members who are inciting hatred as a reaction to the controversy over socks printed with the word Allah.
The reform movement called on the government to take immediate and decisive action on the issue to quell growing anxiety and uncontrolled anger among the public.
It also expressed concern over reactions to the matter possibly escalating and creating dangerous ethnic and religious divisions.
“Tempers flared on social media with postings calling for harsher punishment, such as a boycott of the (convenience store) chain (KK Mart), and even using expressions that we fear could lead to physical harm.
“It does not help that certain politicians are using this issue as a convenient tool to gain political advantage, exploiting the volatile mix of race and religion surrounding it.
“Note that those stoking and inciting hatred include politicians from within the ‘unity government’. These irresponsible members must be reined in by their party leaders swiftly,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The controversy surfaced last week when images of the Miranosock socks being sold at the Bandar Sunway outlet of KK Mart went viral on social media.
Following the uproar, KK Mart issued an apology to all its customers, particularly the Muslim community, and confirmed that immediate actions had been taken to halt the sale of the socks.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has been vocal about the issue, urging a boycott against KK Mart should the chain fail to display banners apologising for the incident.
On Friday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Akmal has the party’s full support in handling the issue.
Rising vigilantism
Aliran added that it was troubled by the emergence of vigilantism.
“The emergence of vigilantism is also deeply troubling. Certain individuals claiming to defend the sanctity of Islam have taken the law into their own hands.
“A number of irate men even harassed and intimidated those they felt had made objectionable remarks.
“If left uncontrolled, this phenomenon could lead to chaos,” it said.
KK Mart’s apology over the matter is appreciated, but has not appeased those who are intent on going after it, Aliran said. - Mkini
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