KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth has distanced itself from calls to boycott all non-Muslim businesses following the fiasco involving convenience store chain KK Mart’s sale of socks printed with the word “Allah”.
Speaking to Scoop, the Barisan Nasional linchpin’s Youth wing chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said that while Umno Youth is standing firm on its decision to urge consumers against spending at KK Mart, the boycotting of other non-Muslim entities not involved in the issue would be “unfair”.
“We (Umno Youth) don’t agree with suggestions that all businesses owned by non-Muslims should be boycotted (as) it would be unfair to traders who did nothing wrong,” Akmal said when contacted today.
“The issue now is not whether or not a business is handled by Muslims, but rather how we can teach a lesson to any party who tries to insult, belittle, or mock Islam.”
He also reiterated that the youth wing is firm on projecting a stern reminder to those who touch on royalty, religion, and race (3R) issues, adding: “Other businesses (besides KK Mart) have not been involved in this problem, so we should not suggest a boycott against them.”
Akmal said this when responding to Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor’s criticism towards certain quarters who have been urging for a blanket boycott towards non-Muslim businesses in the aftermath of the “Allah”-printed socks debacle.
The Penang Mufti told Scoop that such appeals are “overboard and against Islamic teachings”, asserting that such calls imply a deficit in religious understanding and could worsen injustices while threatening national unity.
Since KK Mart’s sale of the “Allah”-printed socks first incited ire online last week, Umno Youth has repeatedly called for Muslim consumers to boycott KK Mart outlets. Videos have emerged on social media showing individuals staging protests and confronting store staff in some locations.
There has also seemingly been an increase in social media posts attempting to rally Muslims to boycott businesses owned by non-Muslims, particularly Chinese figures.
The posts, which are also believed to be circulated via WhatsApp, call for Muslims to instead direct their buying power to entities which are verified to be Muslim-operated.
On Friday, Akmal said that KK Mart should consider venturing into other businesses as Umno Youth will continue its endeavour to boycott the chain, stating: “Malays and Muslims are tired of the endless mistakes and apologies.”
“I suggest KK Mart find other businesses, as we will implement the boycott properly. Let it be felt at every layer of the Malaysian community,” he told reporters at the party’s headquarters.
Following public outrage, KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Seri K.K. Chai apologized profusely at a press conference last weekend, with the store’s outlets opting to express their regret in the form of banners outside stores and messages at their counters.
Meanwhile, KK Mart’s local importer, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, also apologised for an oversight in its quality control process, saying it had done its best to ensure that all 18,800 socks received from its supplier in China were cleared for sale here.
Xin Jian Chang also said it was considering legal action against the China-based supplier for negligence. – March 24, 2024