Socks debacle: Patriot calls for rationality to prevail

Socks debacle: Patriot calls for rationality to prevail

We are living in perilous times and the brakes must be pulled now

23 Mar 2024

Patriot, an association of retired defence and police officers, as well as civilians, is deeply troubled over the issue of the widely reported case of several pairs of socks that purportedly bears the revered name of God (“Allah”).

Social media has been rife with condemnations, shock and instigation. Many right-minded citizens have also registered the need to not politicise this ‘sensitive’ case.

While we welcome the quick action by the authorities and the prompt apology extended to the people by the supermarket proprietor, Patriot registers its reservations and concerns.

In a nation where the various religions all have their rightful and responsible place, politicising or attempting to wrench political mileage out of such ‘sensitive’ incidents can turn out to be highly explosive.

Further, spiking the citizens with immature, dangerous and diabolical calls to action cannot be tolerated if we are to prevent another May 13.

From a national security vantage, Patriot emphasises that this incident could have been better handled.

We recommend that the government of the day should urgently formulate a policy that deems using social media to report and or sensationalise matters relating to race and religious sensitivities as unlawful and severely punishable.

The government should provide official avenues where such concerns or incidents deemed to affect racial and religious harmony can be deposited for prompt and wise action.

As a suggestion, the police station is the right place where concerned people can go to report any such incident that must be tackled and arrested without causing undue alarm or becoming an agitator for widespread instability.

Patriot also takes offence over how some politicians have failed to put unity, tolerance and harmony over and above this ‘socks’ incident.

While all religions must be respected, any attempt to deride or insult cannot be let off without enforcing the rule of law firmly.

Patriot’s concern and fears stem from what we are witnessing in certain other countries where political instability, social mayhem and severe damage to property and lives are the outcome of unbridled religious or racial frenzy.

Lately, Patriot has observed how, in Malaysia, racial and religious sensitivities are being continually exploited by politicians and even some individuals claiming to be pious defenders of the faith.

The calls by our rulers are also not being respected or heeded. This trend cannot go on and on.

Patriot calls on the prime minister to draw the line quickly and firmly.

We certainly cannot afford a case of the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

We are living in perilous times and the brakes must be pulled now.



Retired Lt Col Dato’ Zarazilah Mohd Ali is president of the National Patriots Association (Patriot)