Calming down controversy: A screenshot of the apology on The Star’s website.
PETALING JAYA: Politicians should not blindly call for a boycott over the controversial sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” at KK Super Mart outlets and instead focus on issues concerning public interest, say MCA leaders.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said since the person in charge has stepped forward to apologise, politicians should not prolong the issue.
“The supermarket chain has apologised. If it did it intentionally, only then should we pursue the matter,” he said at an event at Rasah MCA in Seremban yesterday, Sin Chew Daily reported.
Dr Wee quoted a Chinese proverb that says it is better to forgive someone than to press on.
“At least, they (the management) has apologised. We saw their sincerity,” he added.
MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Salleh’s demands for apology banners at all KK Super Mart outlets nationwide would not resolve the issue and would only exacerbate racial tension.
“Politicians attempting to exploit such incidents for their political purposes and to divert attention, risk complicating and confusing the issue, hindering its resolution.
“In handling such issues, politicians should refrain from exploiting it for personal or political gain but should instead focus on protecting public interest.
Calming down controversy: a screenshot of the apology on The Star’s website.
“Only then can the issue be properly resolved and the government’s commitment to its responsibility to the public be served,” said Tan in a statement yesterday.
Umno Youth had demanded banners at all 881 of the supermarket’s outlets nationwide apologising over the socks issue.
On Friday, KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai apologised over the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah”.
MCA’s Tan said this incident serves as a good lesson on Malaysia’s diverse society.
“People should remain sensitive to religious and racial issues in their daily lives, accepting each other’s differences based on the principle of mutual respect, thus embodying the spirit of diversity and moderation in our multicultural society.”
Tan noted that KK Super Mart swiftly apologised to the Muslim community over the incident, adding that it was the correct approach in resolving such issues.
“As a well-known convenience store chain, the store did not make excuses after the incident but chose to acknowledge the mistake, apologised, and immediately resolved the issue,” he added.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said Muhammad Akmal should not play up the issue and any move to boycott the store chain would only hurt the country.
“I remind the Umno Youth chief to stop playing up the issue. Do not keep playing the boycott tactic, otherwise the victim will still be our own country,” he posted on Facebook yesterday.
