PETALING JAYA: Spread harmony and the spirit of unity instead of fanning anger over the socks issue, Angkatan Muda Harapan urged the public after the second attack at a convenience store outlet.
“All irrational and illegal actions must be condemned. Any party that tries to add fire and ride on this issue, which could result in extreme acts, must be punished according to the law,” the group said in a statement.
The group, which comprised the four Pakatan Harapan component party Youth chiefs from PKR, DAP, Amanah and Upko, urged the public to maintain peace and harmony in the country.
They also said it upheld the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, urging all parties to stop taking advantage of the situation as the matter was already being investigated.
“Let us move towards unity, not division. This is an opportunity for us, as a diverse community, to understand each other better to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” the group added.
Separately, PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim has called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to take swift action following a second attack on a KK Super Mart outlet.
He said they should bring calm to the situation following the “Allah” socks issue.
“The Prime Minister and the Home Minister should act before it is too late,” he said.
He said the people wanted the two of them to act decisively as leaders of the Federal Government.
“They must take executive action based on the law so that the people are safe and Malaysia does not fall into the destruction of racial and ethnic divisions,” he said in a statement.
Referring to yesterday’s case in which the convenience store in Kuantan was attacked with a Molotov cocktail, he said many leaders had called for calm: “His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, has spoken. The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, and Inspector-General of the Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain have also spoken.”
He stated that these leaders had offered their counsel and direction to alleviate any potential racial and religious tensions.
Former president of the National Patriot Association (Patriot) Brig-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji said the authorities should act sternly on anyone who incites the masses to retaliate over the issue.
“It is indeed an issue that is very sensitive and hurtful to Muslims.
“However, it is being stretched too far. The parties concerned have apologised and have been taken to court to face charges.”
“Let us put an end to all this and live in harmony,” he said.
Former Transparency International-Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the latest incident is a security threat and has occurred even after appeals for calm were made.
“It is worrying and can destabilise the country. The government and police should take stronger action to prevent further incidents,” he added.
