KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has taken issue with a sales banner featuring Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh being put up at a KK Mart outlet in the state.
Dr Akmal also claimed the banner with the words “Jualan Insan Rahmah” and “Tahun Melawat Melaka 2024” was illegal as the convenience store chain did not obtain the relevant permits from the local council.
In a series of photos shared on his Facebook account, local council enforcement officers were seen taking down the banner at night.
“We asked for an apology banner, but they (KK Mart) put up something else.
“You can hold a sale, sell goods at a cheaper price, but we maintain our stand to boycott KK Mart.
“Our dignity cannot be bought.”
At the same time, 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.”
“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,” Dr Akmal told Scoop.
“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.”
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.
KK Mart has been conveying its apology statement through a digital display at all its outlets after the furore over the sale of the socks.
Last Friday, Dr Akmal said KK Mart should consider venturing into other businesses as Umno Youth would continue its endeavour to boycott the chain, stating: “Malays and Muslims are tired of the endless mistakes and apologies.”
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 25, 2024