NIBONG TEBAL: All parties must not go overboard when coming out with statements or commenting on the controversial socks issue and instead, should stop raising the matter, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that the management of KK Super Mart had already apologised.
“It is better that we do not raise the issue anymore. We must not go overboard and they have already apologised.
“We assume that they are unaware and they did not intend (to offend),” he said at an event at Al-Amin Mosque in Simpang Tiga here last night.
The Deputy Prime Minister said an investigation during a raid by the police showed that it was not the fault of the factory in Batu Pahat as the socks were imported from China.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, had advised party youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh to heed the apology from KK Super Mart over the convenience store chain’s mistake in selling socks inscribed with the word “Allah”.
However, at the same time, Ahmad Zahid said the controversy over these socks must not be taken lightly as it is a 3R issue that touches on race, religion and royalty.
The Deputy Prime Minister said any further action on the matter must be based on the advice of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, who had called for stern action against those behind the incident.
“I welcome the views of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim who said that such an issue must be handled well,” he said at a Ramadan event in Sungkai, Perak, on Tuesday.
“I have also received responses from political parties – be they ruling or Opposition parties – who feel that this issue is a 3R issue.
“Although KK Super Mart has extended its apologies, this matter should not be taken lightly.
“Meanwhile, we ourselves have asked the Umno youth chief to take heed of this apology,” he added.
KK Super Mart’s management had publicly apologised and pulled the socks from its shelves, but Dr Muhamad Akmal has demanded that the chain put up banners at all its 881 outlets nationwide.
Ahmad Zahid urged for the matter to be quickly resolved.
“I believe that there would not be a repeat of this as they (KK Super Mart) would be much more careful now.
“We also hope other supermarkets and hypermarkets take a lesson from what has happened,” he added.
Another Umno leader, Noor Azleen Ambros said the incident would lead to better understanding between the country’s communities.
“In the KK Super Mart issue, if we give them the benefit of the doubt, if we try to think positively and can accept that it was a genuine mistake, it will lead us to an understanding,” said Noor Azleen, who is Johor Umno Youth chief.
Noor Azleen said the incident was one of the “best opportunities” for Muslims to spread an understanding about Allah, “how high His position is for us, and the glory of His nature”.
“When we want non-Muslims to continue to respect Islam, our behaviour in managing incidents like this will invite either feelings of hatred or respect.
“Our manners, our moral values and the choice of our words when we speak will all ultimately reflect Islam, which is full of peaceful and pure values and deserves respect from non-Muslims and the multiracial society of Malaysia,” he added.
