UMNO Youth chief: Since when is defending one’s religion from being insulted constitutes a crime?

 

DEFIANT UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh – the forerunner in the call for a blanket boycott of 881 KK Super Mart outlets nationwide – is seemingly oblivious that his provocative action has somehow contributed to the recent fire-bombing incidents involving two branches of the 24-hour convenience store chain in Bidor, Perak and Kuantan, Pahang.

In fact, he has challenged the authorities “to apprehend and jail” him by asking “since when defending one’s religion from been insulted has become a crime?”

“If it is indeed a crime, I want to let it be heard so come and arrest me this very night,” he articulated in a spirited tone at a Selangor UMNO Youth gathering in Tanjung Karang last night (March 30).

“My friends, politics is No. 2 to me but the question of how we want to defend our religion from been insulted/humiliated is my first priority … This is not a question of criticising any political party but if you want to condemn Dr Akmal, please go ahead to do so. You can nail him down but never ever his religion.”

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s caution yesterday (March 30) could have taken some steam off the Merlimau state assemblyman’s speech given the former has sternly pointed out that those who called for the boycott of KK Super Mart must take responsibility for stoking racial tensions and inflaming sentiments that led to public trespass and vandalism.

“This act can result in property destruction and loss of life. The police will continue to take action based on the law in the interest of the public,” Saifuddin said in a statement yesterday (March 30).

But would Akmal who is also the Melaka state councillor in-charge of rural development, agriculture, and food security listen?

“This is not the first time, not the second time but already many times … You’re filthy rich, you’re a tycoon but you must remember that your wealth stemmed from the Malays in this land,” he hit out at presumably non-Bumiputera businessmen to the cheers of attendees.

“UMNO can befriend anybody but don’t ever break the party’s principles … Don’t insult the dignity of our religion, never touch our race or the Malay rulers … If you ever do so, you’ll instantly become our enemy.”

Added the Russia-trained medical doctor who recently found himself in more controversy after being accused of bribing the police force with duit raya:

“Are our UMNO Youth members afraid to defend your religion? Who want to derive political mileage, please go ahead but I’m not such a person.

“Go ahead to issue me with death threat, go ahead to shoot me but I shall never budge an inch for I believe you can shoot me to my death but I’m confident that my downfall will give birth to another 1,000 Dr Akmal.” – focus malaysia

Main image credit: Drakmalsaleh TikTok