Akmal’s response to socks issue a liability to unity govt, says DAP man

 

DAP’s Dr Boo Cheng Hau says the response of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to the ‘Allah’ socks controversy has put Pakatan Harapan in a tough spot.

PETALING JAYA: A Johor DAP leader has described the response of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to the controversial sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” as a liability to the unity government.

Dr Boo Cheng Hau said he understood the furore within the Muslim community and defended their right to express their anger over the issue.

However, he said the response of Akmal, who had called for a nationwide boycott of convenience store chain KK Mart, was reminiscent of the attitude his wing had adopted prior to the 12th general election.

Pre-2008, the wing was seen as a “bully”, Boo said.

He also recalled an incident in 2001 when Umno Youth had staged a protest against the Malaysian Chinese Organisations Election Appeals Committee for allegedly questioning Bumiputera and Malay rights and privileges.

He said Umno and Barisan Nasional had paid a “heavy price” at the polls, which saw the coalition losing Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Penang.

“It seems the present Umno Youth is still out of touch and refuses to change with the times,” he said.

He also said that political parties should steer clear of sensitive topics and leave it to established NGOs to represent the people in such matters.

“Once political parties get involved, it becomes a double-edged sword,” he said.

Boo said Akmal’s response to the socks issue had put Pakatan Harapan (PH) in a tough spot as it had to manage the conservative faction in Umno as well as its own progressive supporters whom he said were becoming “more and more disillusioned” with the unity government.

“The question that needs to be asked is if Akmal’s defiance stands to win substantial support from the Malay heartlands to offset the loss of non-Malay support.

“This is a question that they (PH) have to look into. None of the others can help them but themselves,” he said.

He added that the situation augured well for the opposition, which he said appeared to be adopting a more reformist image.

“There is a strategic reason for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to remain silent over the whole socks issue,” he said.

On Sunday, PN component PAS said it would not join the movement to boycott KK Mart. The Islamic party said it only wanted action to be taken against those responsible for the controversy. - FMT