Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has urged the prime minister to convene an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting to discuss the escalating attacks against convenience store chain KK Mart over the socks controversy.
In a statement, the former Penang chief minister said the meeting should formulate measures to prevent further incidents that could jeopardise harmony in the country.
“The prime minister should summon an emergency NSC meeting to discuss this situation and adopt urgent measures to prevent any escalation that would jeopardise peace and harmony in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
“Despite royal reminders by both the king and the Perak sultan, as well as stern warnings by the prime minister, home minister, and top police officers, a third KK Mart outlet was attacked with a Molotov cocktail.
“What is concerning is that this time around, the KK Mart outlet attacked was in Sarawak, regarded as the most religiously tolerant state in Malaysia, famed for upholding unity in diversity as well as the home state of the KK Mart owner.
“Clearly, no place is now safe in Malaysia for KK Mart outlets,” the DAP chairperson lamented today.
Lim also slammed the refusal by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh to back down on the issue and insistence on boycotting KK Mart.
“This is irresponsible and unbecoming of a Malacca state government leader who is part of the unity government in Putrajaya.
“Despite the denials of the Umno Youth leader of any political motivations and his condemnation of the attacks on KK Mart, the boycott has not stopped violent attacks on the outlets by unknown, dangerous, extremist elements,” said Lim.
Govt must step in
Akmal is the Merlimau assemblyperson and a Malacca state executive councillor.
Malacca Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh and the Umno supreme council have backed Akmal’s stance.
Lim said as such, the federal government must step in to prevent any fuelling of anger from spiralling out of control.
Before the Sarawak outlet, two other KK Mart shops were firebombed - in Kuantan, Pahang, and Bidor, Perak.
The controversy erupted when pictures of socks bearing the word Allah being sold at a KK Mart outlet in Bandar Sunway went viral on social media.
Following the uproar, KK Mart apologised to all its customers, especially the Muslim community, and confirmed that immediate action had been taken to stop the sale of the socks.
KK Mart founder Chai Kee Kan and his wife Loh Siew Mui have since been charged with intentionally hurting the feelings of Muslims. Both have claimed trial.
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