We in G25 welcome Penang Mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor’s statement calling for restraint in commenting on the incident at a KK Super Mart outlet in Bandar Sunway over the word “Allah” printed on some socks.
Whoever the culprit, the incident has unfortunately resulted in repercussions of a disproportionate magnitude with a racial slant.
The people of Malaysia must take heed of the advice of the learned mufti of Penang, as reported in the media – that calls for non-Muslim businesses to be boycotted in the aftermath of the fiasco are “overboard and against Islamic teachings”.
The learned mufti also wisely advised: “Punishing non-Muslim traders as enemies or traitors is a cruel act, whereas Islam calls for (its believers) to uphold justice regardless of religious and racial background.”
According to media reports, the police have investigated the matter and have submitted their investigation papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers.
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The public, including politicians, should let the authorities complete their work instead of making irresponsible comments that can incite racial feelings in the country.
As a multi-religious and multi-racial country where race and religion are politically sensitive matters, all sections of society must help to keep public emotions under control when there is an incident that may threaten the peace and stability of the country.
When such issues arise, it is up to the government to take the lead and be quick to reassure the public that the issue will be investigated and addressed appropriately.
This is to prevent emotions from escalating, and unscrupulous politicians from taking advantage of the unfortunate incident for political mileage – as we saw happening in this case – resulting in threats and risk to workers’ livelihoods, safety and reputation, despite the apology by KK Group.
We in G25 abhor mob justice. Therefore, we urge the authorities to take swift action against the vigilante groups who took matters into their own hands by unlawfully intimidating two individuals, Chiok Wai Loong and Ricky Shane Cagampang, separately, forcing them to confess to comments they made online.
It is not the job of the vigilante groups to do what they did, for we have the law and the enforcement authorities. There is no place for mob justice in this country.
We are governed by the rule of law. Stern action must be taken by the authorities to deter irresponsible elements among the public from similarly taking the law into their own hands in the future.
We in G25 are deeply disturbed that both Chiok Wai Loong and Ricky Shane Cagampang were brought before and dealt with by the courts with both not having legal representation – all the more so when heavy sentences were imposed upon them.
The two persons should not have been brought to trial without ensuring they were legally represented. Justice requires they should have been accorded the benefit of having a counsel to speak on their behalf in mitigation in light of the severity of the sentences.
Indeed, the very sensitivity of the matter makes it all the more necessary that the accused persons have the full protection of the law. The Legal Aid Department of the government and the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre provide free legal services to accused persons intending to plead guilty before the courts.
Therefore, it is tragic how it could come about that the two persons were brought before the court without any lawyer to make a plea in mitigation on their behalf.
Our government and political leaders must also consider their reactions to such incidents and how it will affect much-needed investments in our country.
If a few pairs of socks, regardless of intention, are enough to close a business and receive threats, local and foreign investors will certainly look elsewhere for more stability for their businesses. – G25 Malaysia
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
No political should involved let the business meaning the consumer decided.
Very very racist … got guts you in person challenge GREAT COUNTRY CHINA. Dun try to kill the spoon the fed you ingrate. … Dunno wat kind of doctor are you …!!!
I don’t see the word Allah in the socks .. hmm so if I see something else can I start a campaign like this to boycott or even to stir up the heat ?
I do not agree to the Penang mufti call to restrain. What has happened is the direct result of continuous actions that insulted the Malays and Islam. It has become a joke among the DAP bigwigs that whenever, that make, so called mistakes to just say Sorry.
I agree that Islam practices tolerance, but, Islam also teaches it’s followers to set certain limits. Not to just except apology, whenever it is made, but, when, Islam and the Malays are repeatedly insulted, to take stern actions against those that have carried out the insults, especially when The Authorities seems to just ignore them. Only taking actions against One group or individual, but not taking actions against another group or individual. Lopsided justice.
Same blinded…!! Have you taken yr medication lately huh!!!?
Go & chill somewhere else. This issue isn’t for dopes. Get matured or shut … up.
Absolutely ludicrous of spitting so much venom on a made up situation. EVERYONE knows who [allegedly] planted those socks and who ‘discovered’ it and who built up a wicked atmosphere in our beloved country. “God is Great”
Yang tragik ialah bila non- muslim mencabar agama Islam, yang berlaku berulang-ulang kali…. semua non-muslim membela mereka, bukan menasihati mereka !! Tapi claim nak negara ini aman !!
The biggest problem of all is , those people in charge never learn , just be emotional and that’s are the points even the blind , deaf and dumb could senses it , no wonder there’s no progressions after so many years and still being as backward than before .
JAKIM chief should be replaced by Penang mufti for his in-depth knowledge of Islam ! ….
I’m a Muslim Malay. I had commented and my comments are almost the same as the learned Mufti of Pulau Pinang, Mydin Wholesale owner, etc. KK MART had apologised profusely, so accept his apologies. Then shut up for Malaysia sake! Perhaps the so called Dr of the Youth have not studied fully Islamic teachings? Even mosque sermons teaches us to be terima permohonan maaf even from non Muslims. UMNO, please stop any further action being certain foreigners are searching for our Achilles/ weakness to bring down Malaysia.
If you blind about syariah, and usulluddin, keep your mouth shut. Don’t be fasik and munapik.
I’m 100% agreed. You’re truly a Malaysian. Let’s live respecting each and everyone regardless of religion and beliefs..
Looking at the current government’s inaction, this is just a cooked up incident to restore UMNO’s relevancy. Else there will be no selective prosecution! UMNO and PKR will lose big in the next election. PN can just sit back and let this government destroy itself!
Agree with all points except the concluding remark…..’if a few pairs of socks….’.It is not a few pairs of socks that is the issue.It is the provocation,denigration and expression of hatred from whoever to another group.Who and why need to be investigated.There is little need to take sides or add fuel to the fire.
I seriously doubt the owner of a chain store is stupid enough to use its own business just to insult other. Owners of a business don’t go all the way down to the operational level. This [could be] the act of the workers, perhaps they were [allegedly] given benefits to do so by some political parties.
A multi million buisness chain taking risk to insult muslim ?. Are u nuts ? Will all nons will see ur preaching … no tolerance . 🤢.
Buat mintak maaf buat mintak maaf.
Extremely well said. I am sure many non- muslims feel intimidated to voice out looking at how events have turned out. The govt should send a stronger message to such inciters if they want M’sia to look like a progressive country. The fact that all this is happening during the month of Ramadhan is indeed disappointing.
Malaysia is Islamic country, it shrine in her constitution. You have to apprehensive what it means.
This is not going to go well for the country for either side, if muslims think such reaction is a good idea then think again. Everything has cause and effect, if i am a foreign investor or an internal investor i will rather invest else where. Such lawlessness and inaction is a red flag for investor. If they think bread and butter is not important, than good for them! The poor is poor for a reason