Zahid didn’t stop me from voicing out - Dr Akmal
NIBONG TEBAL - Umno Youth reminds DAP not to make racial issue out of the sale of stockings bearing the word Allah controversy.
Its chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the issue merely showed how Malay Muslims oppose KK Super Mart & Superstore Sdn Bhd (KK Supermart) which was found to have sold the stockings.
Akmal said it was DAP that made this a racial one.
"If you ask me about the strained relationship between (DAP- Umno Youth), this is not from me. This stocking issue is not a racial issue, it is DAP that makes it a racial issue.
"We're talking between KK Super Mart and the Muslim community. We're calling for a boycott of KK Super Mart, not a boycott of religion, not a boycott of race," he said on Wednesday.
Akmal said this when met at the Ramadan Charity Event at the Al-Amin Mosque, Simpang Tiga here which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the issue was raised to show solidarity among Muslims in boycotting the convenience store.
"I want to tell DAP, don't raise this as a racial issue. This is not a racial issue, it's about how we Muslims oppose KK.
"We want to show our solidarity, take decisive action so that it doesn't happen again. How many times has it happened, I want to ask?
"Many times, Muslims have been tested but we are still calm. If you look elsewhere, in other countries, perhaps KK has already been attacked but Muslims in our country are still calm," he said.
He added that Muslims have the right to boycott any business as done with two major businesses before.
Meanwhile, Akmal also adviced all component parties to be mindful of the sensitivity of Islam and the Malays.
"If we want to talk about unity among component parties, I also want to advice, you have to be mindful, if you don't touch the Malays, don't touch Islam, Umno Youth won't touch you.
"It’s easy, the formula and the theorem are simple, don't touch the Malay race and the Malay Rulers because Malays have never touched the sensitivities of non-Malays," he said.
When asked about the advice from Zahid as the Umno President for Umno Youth not to be too vocal on this issue, Akmal said he would not budge even an inch to voice out on the issue.
"I won't budge even an inch. Earlier, I met him (Ahmad Zahid), he didn't say anything. He didn't deter what I'm doing, in fact, I also received a message from the Supreme Council supporting my actions.
"Today, I met with the President, he still hasn't said anything, we have a very good relationship and I believe, God willing, nothing will happen because we're doing what's right. So anyone who wants to stop me, they won't be able to.
"I'm still firm in my position as the Umno Youth chief who will bring the people's voice below. Surely my party has never stopped me from doing things to defend the religion of Islam, race and country," he said.
On Tuesday, DAP stated its disagreement with Akmal's call to boycott KK Supermart convenience stores which were embroiled in the issue of selling stockings bearing the word Allah recently.
DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke said the stance was conveyed to Zahid and Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh in Putrajaya on Tuesday night.
