UMNO's Akmal Claims The King Did Not Ask To Stop The Boycott Over 'Allah' Socks Issue
He said there is "nothing to be afraid of" as he is speaking up for people.
By Sadho Ram — 04 Apr 2024, 10:56 AM
UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh insists that the boycott of KK Super Mart following the 'Allah' socks fiasco must continue
Akmal's continued stance persists despite a final warning yesterday, 3 April, from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, who emphasised that no one should prolong the controversy.
During an audience granted to KK Mart Group executive chairperson Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, the King had expressed hope that he won't have to repeat himself further on the issue.
"All parties must be more responsible. Let's not make the same mistake twice, and I hope this will be the last time I have to emphasise this," he said, adding that no one should take advantage of the issue or incite the people.
However, despite the King's call, Akmal took to his Facebook account to urge people to continue to boycott, saying there is "nothing to be afraid of" as he is speaking up for people.
"The people have made their decision without any coercion. Keep calm and boycott peacefully," the Merlimau assemblyperson wrote in his post, which has over 250 comments.
He also claimed that the King did not ask to stop the boycott
"Did the King ask to stop the boycott?" Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
He also claimed that his boycott campaign wasn't "fanning the flame".
Meanwhile, Mohamed Tawfik Ismail, the son of Malaysia's second deputy prime minister, said that Akmal is openly defying the King
"Akmal risks being isolated by his party's supreme body… by openly defying the King, Akmal is following PAS, which recently had an altercation with the Sultan of Selangor," FMT quoted Tawfik as saying.
"UMNO's current policy of championing Malay rights will be questioned if it condones rebellion against the Rulers. While whipping up racial sentiments against Chinese businesses, it risks alienating its grassroots by confronting the Royals," the former Sungai Benut member of parliament said.
