Baru: PM, police's duty to quell sock-gate fires, not Agong's
Published: Apr 10, 2024 12:02 PM
Sarawak politicians are applauding Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar for taking the time to have an audience with Umno and DAP leaders to ease the rising tensions surrounding sock-gate.
Former PKR leader Baru Bian told Malaysiakini that it was heartening to see the king making an effort to lend his good counsel to leaders of the two parties to de-escalate the situation after three KK Mart outlets were firebombed.
However, Baru said it should have been the prime minister and the police’s duty to quell the fires instead of having the Agong intervene.
“The king had to step in to ease tensions due to the inaction of the government and/or the police. The responsibility to quell such tension in the country and to prevent the situation from escalating any further is the duty of the police and the administration of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” said the Ba’kelalan assemblyperson, who was a PKR representative but now represents the Progressive Democratic Party.
“I hope our prime minister will be more forthcoming to resolve such matters because we can’t afford to have the king to step in each time such problems crop up in the country. The prime minister must act immediately before the situation worsens,” added Baru.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar having an audience with Umno leaders regarding the Sock-gate issue
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh had instigated a boycott campaign against KK Mart after socks bearing the word “Allah” were found to be on sale at an outlet.
The convenience store chain quickly apologised and recalled five pairs of socks with “Allah” on them, but Akmal pressed on with the boycott campaign to this day.
Besides being targeted with three firebombings, KK Mart’s founder and wife along with the supplier of the socks have been charged with hurting religious feelings.
😕😕😕
Politicians must show the way
Meanwhile, Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan told Malaysiakini that the king is magnanimous for meeting Umno and DAP leaders to ease tensions.
He said the decree by His Majesty in calling all political leaders to avoid extreme views about religion and racial issues must be respected and to disobey the decree could be “an act of treason”.
“The people of Sarawak and Sabah, irrespective of race, religion, and creed have always lived in harmony but feel uneasy each time religious and racial issues turn up into ugly talking points among political leaders and religious preachers in West Malaysia,” Voon said.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh had instigated a boycott campaign against KK Mart after socks bearing the word “Allah” were found to be on sale at an outlet.
The convenience store chain quickly apologised and recalled five pairs of socks with “Allah” on them, but Akmal pressed on with the boycott campaign to this day.
Besides being targeted with three firebombings, KK Mart’s founder and wife along with the supplier of the socks have been charged with hurting religious feelings.
😕😕😕
Politicians must show the way
Meanwhile, Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan told Malaysiakini that the king is magnanimous for meeting Umno and DAP leaders to ease tensions.
He said the decree by His Majesty in calling all political leaders to avoid extreme views about religion and racial issues must be respected and to disobey the decree could be “an act of treason”.
“The people of Sarawak and Sabah, irrespective of race, religion, and creed have always lived in harmony but feel uneasy each time religious and racial issues turn up into ugly talking points among political leaders and religious preachers in West Malaysia,” Voon said.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan
He also skewered those who stirred racial and religious sentiments, saying their selfish and irresponsible political one-upmanship showed that they had no good intentions for the people and the country.
Voon also pointed out that people in largely Christian Sarawak and Sabah have grown annoyed with the inflammatory racial and religious rhetoric from the peninsula - so much so that calls for secession have increased - and the government must quickly de-escalate such situations.
Build bridges, not trenches
Kota Sentosa assemblyperson Wilfred Yap also commended Sultan Ibrahim for bringing down temperatures when it was needed most.
He also urged political leaders to find common ground and address the root causes of dissatisfaction instead of fanning the flames.
“In times of discontent and frustration, resorting to anger and extremism as a means to convey a message is never justified. It will only perpetuate a cycle of animosity.
“Leaders must be a bridge or link between the diverse people of our country and must always exhibit mature behaviour and not base their politics on emotion,” Yap said.
He added that a harmonious and stable society is crucial for the country’s progress and development, and this can be achieved by emphasising unity, understanding, and mutual respect.
He also skewered those who stirred racial and religious sentiments, saying their selfish and irresponsible political one-upmanship showed that they had no good intentions for the people and the country.
Voon also pointed out that people in largely Christian Sarawak and Sabah have grown annoyed with the inflammatory racial and religious rhetoric from the peninsula - so much so that calls for secession have increased - and the government must quickly de-escalate such situations.
Build bridges, not trenches
Kota Sentosa assemblyperson Wilfred Yap also commended Sultan Ibrahim for bringing down temperatures when it was needed most.
He also urged political leaders to find common ground and address the root causes of dissatisfaction instead of fanning the flames.
“In times of discontent and frustration, resorting to anger and extremism as a means to convey a message is never justified. It will only perpetuate a cycle of animosity.
“Leaders must be a bridge or link between the diverse people of our country and must always exhibit mature behaviour and not base their politics on emotion,” Yap said.
He added that a harmonious and stable society is crucial for the country’s progress and development, and this can be achieved by emphasising unity, understanding, and mutual respect.
Michael Kong
Michael Kong, an aide to Sarawak DAP chairperson Chong Chieng Jen, echoed the Agong’s call to prioritise unity and harmony instead of divisive rhetorics.
Kong said he also appreciated the king’s decision to include Akmal in the discussions at his palace yesterday.
“Akmal’s recent actions, particularly regarding the ‘Allah’ socks incident and KK Mart boycott, have caused racial tensions to a certain extent.
“With the king’s recent appeal, I urge Akmal and all political leaders to cease inflaming these tensions. Instead, let us redirect our efforts towards uniting Malaysians and advancing economic development and prosperity in our nation,” Kong added.
Michael Kong, an aide to Sarawak DAP chairperson Chong Chieng Jen, echoed the Agong’s call to prioritise unity and harmony instead of divisive rhetorics.
Kong said he also appreciated the king’s decision to include Akmal in the discussions at his palace yesterday.
“Akmal’s recent actions, particularly regarding the ‘Allah’ socks incident and KK Mart boycott, have caused racial tensions to a certain extent.
“With the king’s recent appeal, I urge Akmal and all political leaders to cease inflaming these tensions. Instead, let us redirect our efforts towards uniting Malaysians and advancing economic development and prosperity in our nation,” Kong added.
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