PAPAR: Despite the fact that the issue of the Allah Kalimah socks is currently under investigation by the security authorities, more and more politicians, including those in Sabah, are trying to exploit this issue and deliberately bring in narratives of racial and religious nature that could jeopardise the level of harmony and security in the country.
Taking advantage of this issue, there are several current and former political leaders in the state who are trying to “fish in troubled waters” by linking this KK Mart case to the extreme Umno and urging the people of Sabah to reject Umno in the state.
The information chief of the Papar Umno Youth Movement, Hairul Rahman, said this issue is not about Islam versus non-Islam or Malay versus non-Malay, but about the Islamic community versus a corporate entity.
“This happens when a business entity is careless in the product screening process, leading to this incident, and the reaction occurs due to negligence rather than because the company is owned by non-Muslims,” he said in a statement issued here on Sunday.
According to Hairul, this issue is not about racial or religious issues; it becomes a racial issue when politicians try to mix elements of race and religion in their statements, whereas the Chief of the Malaysian Umno Youth Movement, Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh, and other Umno leaders did not touch on other religions and races.
“This is not a political issue, a survivability issue, or a political career issue because this is a bigger struggle involving the sacred Kalimah of Allah SWT that can trigger discomfort among the Muslim community in this country,” he said.
Hairul added that there will be no major protests, gatherings, or public disturbances, as depicted by a few parties. Umno will remain calm and will closely monitor this case.