KUALA LUMPUR – Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has commended the police for investigating Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh over his speech and actions after convenience store chain KK Mart sold socks with “Allah” printed on them.
“(I would) applaud the police. So (the Home) Minister was right, the police knew what they were doing,” he said in a message to Scoop.
Meanwhile, asked whether the investigation would curb vigilantism and extreme action against the convenience chain, Zaid said: “Yes, definitely.”
This morning, Akmal posted on Facebook about him being detained at the Kota Kinabalu international airport prior to his detention at the city’s police headquarters, asserting that he will not budge from his stance on the issue.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Hussain confirmed that the authorities were investigating Akmal under the Sedition Act 1948 over his actions and speeches amid the KK Mart fiasco.
Previously, Zaid had questioned the authorities’ decision not to launch an investigation on Akmal, after Razarudin said no official complaints were filed against the Merlimau assemblyman.
Yesterday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail deferred to the police for further action, after being asked about updates on arrests amid the attacks on KK Mart outlets.
The minister also said the prevalence of certain quarters causing unrest, without regard to Malaysia’s multi-ethnic culture, has called for the need for security forces to take action.
Akmal has been vocal over the issue and has consistently pushed for a boycott, insisting it is to protect the sanctity of Islam and not for any political gain.
The controversy began after KK Mart and its manufacturer, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, were caught selling several “Allah”-printed socks, resulting in outrage in the Muslim community and boycott calls from certain quarters. – April 5, 2024