Action to be taken on those who incite unrest, says Saifuddin
PUTRAJAYA: Those who “cross the red line” by drumming up seditious sentiments will face the law, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The warning by the Home Minister follows a rise in incendiary public comments on communal issues by certain groups, including on socks bearing the word “Allah”, which has sparked Molotov cocktail attacks on three convenience stores.
“There are sensitivities that have their red lines. There exist groups whose work is to give rise to uneasiness through seditious matters that are extreme and which are then acted upon.
“This requires action by our security apparatus,” he told reporters at a press conference yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution added that action by the police could start with reports lodged by the public or by the police themselves.
He said the matter was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where it was decided that the Home Ministry would be responsible for tackling the recent trend.
Saifuddin Nasution said this when asked to comment on the latest status of investigations into the controversial socks issue.
Asked if this meant that action would be taken against Umno Youth led by Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, Saifuddin Nasution merely said, “You are putting words into my mouth”.
“I do not want to direct them (the police)... whether to arrest them or not.
“Let the police carry out their evaluation and let them take action accordingly,” he said.
He added that he did not want to “enter into police territory” on such matters.
Since March 26, there have been three Molotov cocktail attacks on KK Super Mart stores over the controversial sock issue.
The first incident was at an outlet in Bidor, Tapah, on March 26.
The second was in Sungai Isap, Kuantan, on March 29, and the third was on March 31 in Kuching, Sarawak.
Dr Muhamad Akmal has been vocal about the issue and has called for a boycott of the KK Super Mart convenience stores nationwide.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution called on all quarters to heed the advice given by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, not to prolong the socks issue.
On Wednesday, His Majesty granted an audience to KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan.
During the 15-minute audience, Chai sought His Majesty’s forgiveness and apologised to the King and all Muslims over the socks issue.
His Majesty decreed that all parties, including KK Super Mart, must be more careful with the products they sell, especially imported goods, to avoid a repeat of the incident.
On March 26, Chai and four others were charged at the Sessions Court here over their link to the distribution and sale of socks with the word “Allah” on them.
Also charged were KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd and Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd.
All five claimed trial, with the court fixing April 19 for mention.
