Guan Eng finally found his tongue to speak up on KK Mart attacks by racial and religious bigots

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He finally found his tongue to speak up!

Guan Eng finally found his tongue to speak up on KK Mart attacks by racial and religious bigots

 KUALA LUMPUR, April 2, 2024: Just as law-abiding-peace-loving Malaysians were resigned to the fact that the DAP is the new Umno political lapdog, party chairman Lim Guan Eng finally found his tongue to speak up.

However, the Bagan MP is still relatively meek in his comments and response to the Made-in-China Allah-brand socks controversy.

He avoided slamming Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, supported by the party supreme council, for all his actions, including calling for the continued boycott of KK Mart despite the court cases against the KK Mart owner and his supplier.

Lim was also disappointing in not condemning Akmal for his veiled threat to Malaysians, national security and harmony.

This is what we are talking about:

Lawyer and social activist Siti Kasim said: "I recently saw a TikTok video where he (Akmal) was seen calling the Malays to be ready. He was seen sharpening a parang ... this is something the police must act on.

"It is like he is instigating the Malays to create problems. Islam never teaches us all this," said Siti.

All Lim did was to urge Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to summon an emergency National Security Council meeting to address the recent petrol bomb attacks on KK Mart outlets.

But, will the Anwar-led so-called Madani Unity Government listen?

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report quoting Lim on the KK Mart controversy:

Hold emergency meeting on KK Mart attacks, Guan Eng tells PM

FMT Reporters

-02 Apr 2024, 11:34 AM

The National Security Council must adopt urgent measures to prevent escalation, says the Bagan MP.

Three KK Mart outlets have been attacked with petrol bombs so far, in Perak, Pahang and Sarawak.

PETALING JAYA: Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to summon an emergency National Security Council meeting to address the recent petrol bomb attacks on KK Mart outlets.

“The prime minister should summon an emergency National Security Council meeting to adopt urgent measures and prevent any escalation that would jeopardise peace and harmony in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society,” the DAP chairman said in a statement.

Lim said that federal intervention was needed to nip rising tensions in the bud, adding that Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s continued incitement of the issue was “irresponsible and unbecoming of a Melaka government leader who is part of the unity government”.

“Despite the Umno Youth chief’s denials of political motivation and his condemnation of the attacks on KK Mart, his boycott has not stopped the violent attacks on KK Mart outlets by unknown dangerous extremist elements,” he said.

There have been three petrol bomb attacks on KK Mart outlets, the latest incident being in Kuching, Sarawak, on Sunday.

The first and second incidents happened in Perak and Pahang on March 26 and 29 respectively.

The third attack came despite a call by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim for parties to stop harping on the issue.

Pahang’s Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had also condemned the Kuantan attack.

KK Mart entered the spotlight after socks bearing the word “Allah” were found being sold at one of its outlets in Bandar Sunway.

Its founder KK Chai and his wife Loh Siew Mui, who is the company director, have claimed trial in court to a charge of wounding religious feelings.

Akmal’s response to socks issue a liability to unity govt, says DAP man

FMT Reporters

-02 Apr 2024, 08:30 AM

Dr Boo Cheng Hau says Pakatan Harapan has had to manage the conservative faction in Umno as well as its own progressive supporters.

DAP’s Dr Boo Cheng Hau says the response of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to the ‘Allah’ socks controversy has put Pakatan Harapan in a tough spot.

PETALING JAYA: A Johor DAP leader has described the response of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to the controversial sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” as a liability to the unity government.

Dr Boo Cheng Hau said he understood the furore within the Muslim community and defended their right to express their anger over the issue.

However, he said the response of Akmal, who had called for a nationwide boycott of convenience store chain KK Mart, was reminiscent of the attitude his wing had adopted prior to the 12th general election.

Pre-2008, the wing was seen as a “bully”, Boo said.

He also recalled an incident in 2001 when Umno Youth had staged a protest against the Malaysian Chinese Organisations Election Appeals Committee for allegedly questioning Bumiputera and Malay rights and privileges.

Play

He said Umno and Barisan Nasional had paid a “heavy price” at the polls, which saw the coalition losing Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Penang.

“It seems the present Umno Youth is still out of touch and refuses to change with the times,” he said.

He also said that political parties should steer clear of sensitive topics and leave it to established NGOs to represent the people in such matters.

“Once political parties get involved, it becomes a double-edged sword,” he said.

Boo said Akmal’s response to the socks issue had put Pakatan Harapan (PH) in a tough spot as it had to manage the conservative faction in Umno as well as its own progressive supporters whom he said were becoming “more and more disillusioned” with the unity government.

“The question that needs to be asked is if Akmal’s defiance stands to win substantial support from the Malay heartlands to offset the loss of non-Malay support.

“This is a question that they (PH) have to look into. None of the others can help them but themselves,” he said.

He added that the situation augured well for the opposition, which he said appeared to be adopting a more reformist image.

“There is a strategic reason for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to remain silent over the whole socks issue,” he said.

On Sunday, PN component PAS said it would not join the movement to boycott KK Mart. The Islamic party said it only wanted action to be taken against those responsible for the controversy.

Molotov bomb attack on Kuching store has harmed Sarawak's image, says PKR

Senator calls for extremism to be punished, nipped in the bud.

Updated 54 minutes ago · Published on 02 Apr 2024 11:56AM

The KK Mart brand has come under fire over an incident involving socks with the word 'Allah' printed on them. – The Vibes file pic, April 1, 2024.

THE Molotov cocktail attack against a KK Mart outlet in Kuching has harmed Sarawak's image and must be severely dealt with, PKR said.

Sarawak PKR deputy chief Senator Abun Sui Anyit said such extremist acts must be nipped in the bud before they spread.

Sui, who is also the state Pakatan Harapan information chief, said the KK mart incident has hurt Sarawak’s reputation as a model state for harmony and peace.

"We are shocked that such an incident happened on Sarawak soil. This attack against KK Mart (along Jalan Satok) in Kuching must not be allowed to spread in this state renowned as peaceful and racially united,” he said.

"Those responsible for the attack must be arrested and dealt with severely, whether they are Sarawakians or outsiders. This attack has harmed Sarawak's image," he said in a statement.

Dapsy, the youth wing of DAP, also condemned the latest attack, with its chief Dr Kelvin Yii describing the situation as outrageous and one that was getting out of hand.

"I call for calm and tolerance about this whole situation. We as Sarawakians must stand up against such acts of hate and not let this be normalised in our country,” said Yii.

"Of all places, we did not expect this to happen in Kuching, Sarawak, which is supposedly known as the city of unity, a place where for years we have learnt to live harmoniously regardless of our race, religion or background.”

Yi said the recent incident was proof that national unity is fragile and needs to be protected.

"We must stem this before it spreads further and anyone who continues to instigate and spread hate must face the full scale of the law. 

"We cannot take this lightly and all parties must make a deliberate attempt to de-escalate the situation and spread understanding and respect.”

Kuching police chief Ahsmon Bajah has since confirmed that a report was lodged over the incident by a 25-year-old store worker, who reported that a petrol bomb caused boxes of drinks outside the store to catch fire.

He said the case is filed under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage.

“The section provides for imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine or both, upon conviction,” said Ahsmon.

Those with information on the incident are asked to call investigating officer Ceremona Nasim at 013-8554168 or go to the nearest police station. – The Vibes, April 2, 2024.