King praised for calming tensions over ‘Allah’ socks issue

 

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim with (from left) Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, Melaka Umno chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh and DAP deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong at Istana Negara today. (Sultan Ibrahim Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The efforts of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim to diffuse escalating tensions over the Allah socks issue has received praise.

Academic Tajuddin Rasdi said it was significant that Sultan Ibrahim gathered several Umno and DAP leaders on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri with the fervent hope that the meeting would foster unity.

“As people rejoice in seeing for the first time the solar eclipse in other countries, we, in Malaysia, have been in a sombre mood with rising racial and religious tensions.

“I commend Sultan Ibrahim’s courage, wisdom and determination for taking the initiative to meet the two parties often at the centre of divisive politics.

“We are once again blessed with a wise sovereign. Daulat Tuanku!” he told FMT.

Former MP Tawfik Ismail said the king was undertaking a huge task in attempting to bridge the divide between Umno and DAP.

“To get both sides to agree is akin to getting two adversarial countries to sit down for peace talks,” he told FMT.

Tawfik said it was important for both parties to work together for the good of the whole country, not just their own needs.

“It requires statesmanship on both sides. Perhaps His Majesty’s initiative will open the door,” he said.

Earlier, Sultan Ibrahim called for unity in the meeting with Umno and DAP leaders, urging them to avoid extreme views on race and religion.

Amid tensions following the Molotov cocktail attacks at three KK Mart outlets and a call to boycott the convenience store chain over the sale of several pairs of socks bearing the word “Allah” at one of its outlets, the king reminded political leaders that they were bridges between diverse communities.

He warned against inciting divisions, especially with Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaching.

Umno’s Dr Akmal Saleh, who spearheaded the call to boycott KK Mart, thanked the king for the meeting and said he was committed to ensuring harmony and preserving the sanctity of Islam.

DAP was represented by deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong, while Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan and Melaka Umno chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh also attended the meeting. - FMT