'More spoon than gravy' - PKR Youth chides Akmal for exaggerating

 

PKR Youth communications director Haziq Azfar has taken aim at Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh over his “exaggerated” statement regarding his willingness to go to court on the issue of the halal certification.

“His claim that he is out to defend Islam and the Malays in the issue of halal certification is, in fact, more spoon than gravy (lebih sudu dari kuah - a proverb meaning an exaggeration without substance).

“This statement is an exaggeration compared to the issue of halal certification, which is a consumer issue.

“Any differences in point of view related to the halal certification issue with (Seputeh MP) Teresa Kok can be counter-criticised by anyone, but it should be focused on the main issues in halal certification, not exaggerated into an issue of race and religion,” said Haziq (above) in a statement today.

Yesterday, Akmal defended his outburst against Kok during police questioning over the halal certification issue, telling investigating officers that his remarks were only a response to Kok’s statement.

Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh

“My response was that (halal) is a very sensitive issue, and we have issued reminders many times before that if we want to keep the harmony in our country, such sensitive issues must never be touched.

“My remarks were merely a response to what Kok had said (on the issue).

“We did not attack anyone but just responding to her statement, which has hurt not only myself but all Malay Muslims in this country,” Akmal told reporters and his supporters outside the Jasin district police headquarters in Malacca.

Inappropriate move

Haziq warned Akmal against stoking the flames of ethnic and religious tensions.

“It is not appropriate for politicians to ignite the fire of anger with racial and religious issues in the minds of the public when the fuel does not even exist.

“Every politician is responsible for educating the public by responding to issues through a more objective assessment,” he said.

Akmal had called the DAP lawmaker a “Nyonya tua” (old Nyonya) who should not have interfered in Islamic affairs, adding that he would ask the government to prepare a non-halal logo to stick to her forehead.

Teresa Kok

This came after Kok questioned the proposal to mandate restaurants and businesses not serving pork or alcohol to obtain halal certification, a move reportedly under consideration by the Islamic Development Department.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced on Sept 18 that the cabinet had decided to maintain the status quo on the matter. - Mkini