IT’S time Malaysians take a step back from the heat because some quarters simply can’t stop from fanning the flames of controversy surrounding socks bearing the word Allah. Just leave it to the authorities – they’ve got this blaze under control.
The seriousness of the issue is indisputable, and there must be retribution. The temperature on the ground is rising, especially among Muslims, which can only be the clearest call for everyone, especially non-Muslims, to grasp the significance of religious and racial sensitivity.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has appropriately put things in perspective by reminding everyone to respect and appreciate the sensitivity of Malaysians.
Most importantly, it’s best for all concerned to learn from the incident and strive to strengthen unity. Also, Malaysia must realise that this incident has drawn international attention, from the media to the business community. It was reported in the Washington Post, BBC, Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
The disappointment and ire expressed by Muslims is understandable, but at least the situation is still under control. If this happened in Pakistan or India, the reactions might have been more violent and even deadly.
But this is Malaysia, and we’re known to be reasonable, gracious and restrained. Angry sound bites abound, especially on social media, where many of the comments have even been racist and seditious.
The issue has kept the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) busy. Those of us who’ve been critical of the MCMC would surely be pleased to know that it has responded to the seditious comments. Kudos to the MCMC for taking down 2,004 postings – since January 2023 – comprising hate speech touching on the 3Rs (royalty, religion and race), which could incite violence and discrimination. And since March 13, 479 provocative messages and 3R content have been removed, too.
MCMC has definitely done its part to retain the religious harmony of this country without catering to those who have gone overboard. It has duly done its work to shut out the extremists, agitators and provocateurs. We simply can’t entertain those who continue to be angry and impose their hatred at Malaysia’s expense.
Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Suhaily Mohd Zain has rightly advised everyone to stand down and not pour fuel on the fire.
“Enough is enough. Let the police investigate and act on all issues relating to 3R,” he said.
While the police have been professional in their duties, it’s imperative they’re seen to be impartial.
If the perpetrators are not hauled up, then we’re sending a truly flawed message to everyone and worse, condoning and encouraging these hooligans to bully and humiliate anyone, especially non-Muslims, all in the name of race and religion.
The police must know the identities of these mobs, so it’s only appropriate that these individuals don’t escape the long arm of the law. A Molotov cocktail was hurled at a KK Super Mart outlet, but thankfully, it didn’t explode. On Friday, a KK Super Mart outlet in Kuantan was hit by a molotov cocktail. Meanwhile, a socks supplier was threatened with having its factory burned down.
Let’s not forget that Malaysia is a country with law and order.
While the KK Super Mart Group boss and director have been charged in court for intentionally wounding the religious sensitivities of Muslims by allegedly selling the socks, the retailer is also entitled to defend itself in court.
The prosecutors will try to prove that they have a case while it’s the job of the defence to rebut. Hopefully, clear CCTV footage will be produced in court to reveal the identity and intentions of those responsible for putting these offensive socks on the shelves of the KK Super Mart outlets.
The question is, why were only five such pairs found in three KK Super Mart stores from a consignment of 1,200?
We look forward to hearing the explanation, as well as why KK Super Mart’s checking system is faulty. We must respect the court’s decisions, so let’s not have another fit if we can’t accept the outcome.
The socks issue has spooked many businessmen, especially those from the Malaysian Retail Chain Association (MRCA), with more than 550 members from retail and restaurant businesses expressing fear of “malicious prosecution tactics” by certain quarters. Their concern is legitimate because they won’t want to be victims of sabotage.
When you run a business with hundreds of outlets and a huge staff, you’re vulnerable to someone potentially planting an offensive item and having it exposed on social media. You can then leave it to our trusty politicians and the public to whip up a frenzy of anger and calls for boycott.
No one wants a similar incident repeated with another round of apologies. By now, it’s conclusively clear that the Muslim halal market is huge and indispensable.
With almost 70% of the Malaysian demographic being Muslim, against a shrinking non-Muslim population, more and more industries want to be part of this important market.
Many businesses, whether retail or restaurants, especially those from public-listed companies, have shareholders, directors and top management comprising both Muslims and non-Muslims.
This is how it should be. In fact, it’s now a growing trend among private companies, or sendirian berhad, to have such eclectic compositions. In Malaysia, most of these outlets have staff comprising many Muslims. KK Super Mart, for example, has about 5,000 staff with almost 3,000 Muslims, including senior management.
While Umno Youth, or anyone else, is entitled to call for a boycott, they must realise that their actions will impact Muslim workers, too.
Likewise, McDonalds Malaysia is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Lionhorn Pte Ltd, and most of its staff are Muslims, but it has suffered badly following a boycott.The biggest casualties have been Muslim college students working part-time.
Starbucks Malaysia is owned by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, and although he’s Chinese, he has immediate Muslim family members, too, and Starbucks staff are overwhelmingly Muslim as well.These Malaysian franchisees operate independently, and they are powerless over what happens in other countries.
However you slice it, there are many American products we use daily, even those invented by Israelis, which include our handphones and other appliances.
Let’s not forget there are also Americans who have invested in Malaysia, creating thousands of jobs here. We must be mindful that Malaysia can’t afford to lose its place in the international community. In calling for boycotts, we surely don’t want to be boycotted, too.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim walks a tightrope whenever he goes on trade missions overseas. The international media never lets him off. The Prime Minister is always pressed on our stand on Palestine and Israel, and while he has never wavered from our commitment to defend the Palestinians, he also must assure his audience that Malaysia is ideal for investment.
We live in a borderless world. Our actions and reactions will play out before a global audience, which will evaluate our handling of these issues and determine if it impacts their long-term investment.
Malaysia must assure foreign investors that this is a politically safe place. We have a democracy where everyone is free to voice their discontent, and even call for boycotts, but there’s also law and order, with no room for favouritism or mob rule, whether real or perceived. Forgiveness and moderation will always be a better approach than retaliation.
His Majesty has spoken loud and clear – persistent anger brings no benefits. All he wants is to guide the people towards unity, not division. Let’s build Malaysia, and not tear it down.
Hear, hear, hear. Daulat Tuanku!
