Petrol bombed: Fire damage at the KK Super Mart in Sungai Isap. — Photo from Facebook
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the police not to compromise at all following the latest Molotov cocktail attack on a KK Super Mart outlet, while Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has warned people not to inflame the situation.
Anwar reminded the people not to take matters into their own hands following the latest attack on the outlet in Kuantan.
He added that the public should respect and abide by the legal process if there is any misconduct.
“We will take action against those who commit such acts, especially those involving violence.
“This is a peaceful country. Do not use racial or religious issues to disrupt order in the country.
“I have also instructed the police to not compromise at all in this matter,” Anwar said after attending the Madani Sarawak 2024 breaking fast ceremony near Kuching yesterday, reported Bernama.
In a statement, Saifuddin said those who called for the boycott of KK Super Mart must take responsibility for stoking racial tensions.
“Those who encourage this boycott should take responsibility to ease and stop the act of inflaming people’s sentiments,” he said.
Early yesterday, a Molotov cocktail was hurled at the entrance of a KK Super Mart outlet in Sungai Isap, Kuantan.
This is the second such attack following the controversy over the discovery of socks printed with the word “Allah” being sold in KK Super Mart in Selangor.
On Tuesday, a branch of the convenience store in Bidor, Perak, was attacked as well.
Saifuddin said: “While urging or encouraging a boycott might not be an offence, public trespass and causing damage are.
“It is clearly an offence when a member of the public trespasses on or tries to set fire to any premises.
“This act can result in property destruction and loss of life.”
The police, he said, would continue to take action based on the law in the interest of the public.
Saifuddin said the petrol bomb incident at the Sungai Isap store had caused anxiety among the local residents and the people ahead of Hari Raya.
The police, he said, viewed seriously these attempted arson cases.
He said the incident had become dangerous when certain parties took the opportunity to fan religious, racial and group sentiments for certain interests.
“This issue has shown how easily the emotions and sentiments of the people are played on by irresponsible groups,” said Saifuddin.
He appealed to the public to allow the police to carry out the task of detecting, arresting and investigating the individuals involved.
“Let the legal process run its course for the sake of peace and order among the people and in the country.
“I believe that the majority of the people are peace-loving. Live in peace with mutual respect for our differences.
“Let us together reject and strongly condemn this kind of violence,” he said.
Five people from two companies – KK Mart Group and Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, which supplied the socks to the convenience store chain – were charged in court on Tuesday over the distribution and sale of the socks with the word “Allah” printed on them.
Following yesterday’s petrol bomb attack, Pahang police have warned the public against taking matters into their own hands.
“We are tracking down those responsible,” said state police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman.
“The public must be patient and allow the investigation process to go on without any disturbance,” he said when contacted.
Kuantan OCPD Asst Comm Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said someone had hurled a Molotov cocktail at the entrance of the KK Super Mart outlet in Sungai Isap at 5.14am yesterday.
A cashier at the store was having her pre-dawn meal when she saw the Molotov cocktail being thrown from the outside, then bursting into flames on the carpet. It caused a small fire.
The cashier panicked but managed to grab an extinguisher and put out the blaze.
Her colleague contacted their employer, who then called the police and the Fire and Rescue Department.
