Akmal is acting alone,
analysts say of KK Mart
ham sandwich row
IIUM’s Syaza Shukri says Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh tends to project himself as a vocal defender of Malay-Muslim sensitivities.
Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia said Dr Akmal Saleh, the Umno Youth chief, tends to project himself as a vocal defender of Malay-Muslim sensitivities.
“Akmal is just being Akmal by trying to show that Umno is still somehow looking out for the Malay community,” she told FMT.
Syaza said Umno Youth appeared to be taking up the issue for political advantage despite the party’s position in the unity government.
“Why make the statements publicly? Because the audience is the people. This is really a non-issue,” she said.
Syaza however said the issue was unlikely to have an adverse effect on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim or Umno.
Umno’s internal dynamics
Awang Azman Pawi, a political analyst at Universiti Malaya, said the row highlights the internal dynamics within Umno, with individuals aiming to appear as champions of their community.
“This is not necessarily Umno’s official position. Their president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has made it clear that the party’s stance should be announced either by him or by the secretary-general,” he said.
Awang Azman said Akmal was seeking to position himself as a “hero”.
He agreed that the issue would not impact the unity government but urged Anwar to be more assertive in managing such situations.
“He has to call out these so-called heroes publicly to reassure the people that he can manage the unity government. If not, it could influence public sentiment and erode confidence in his leadership,” he said.
Akmal had urged the police and relevant agencies to take action after UM shut down two KK Mart concept stores on campus pending investigations.
He said old wounds regarding the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” at KK Mart convenience stores last year had yet to heal.
His comments drew sharp criticism from MCA vice-president Wee Jeck Seng, who urged Akmal to avoid politicising the issue.
DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong called Akmal out for sensationalising the issue by making it seem as if no action had been taken on the matter even after the university had ordered the immediate closure of the two stores.
The party’s vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming also took a jab at those who had made a fuss over the matter, pointing out that “ham” simply referred to cured meat.
The Islamic development department (Jakim) confirmed that the sandwiches in question, along with the company manufacturing it, were not halal-certified.
Competing to be protectors
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the incident reflects a pattern within Umno, with its youth wing aiming to position itself as the protector of Islam. DAP, on the other hand, wants to be seen as countering extremism, he said.
“This isn’t the first time. Akmal’s earlier criticism of DAP over the ‘Allah’ socks issue was similarly positioned. Both sides are using these controversies to show they are standing up for their communities and political parties,” he said.
“DAP, on the other hand, wants to counter Umno’s extremism. There’s nothing new here, with Umno and DAP both using the issue to champion their respective causes,” he added.
For Syaza, the challenge is educating the public to separate between rhetoric and the actual performance of the unity government.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the noise but the public must see through this. What’s at stake isn’t the unity government crumbling but how the rakyat perceives its leaders handling these issues,” she said.
Akmal speaks for the Malay silent majority
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