Mu Mian Qing Hosiery Co Ltd of China included in a shipment to Malaysia 5 to 14 pairs of socks which featured the Arabic word for God, Allah. That shipment has had the country engulfed in a controversy that has angered even Sultan Ibrahim Of Johor, the current Agong(King).
Meanwhile little if anything is being said about any action against Mu Mian Qing Hosiery Co Ltd, its regulators in China, or the Chinese Government. Unlike the Prophet Mohamad cartoon controversies there have not been mass demonstrations against those who have insulted Islam, Allah and the Prophet in Malaysi (or anywhere else in the world). The silence suggests that Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim has gone out of his way to esnure that there are no protests against Mu Mian Qing Hosiery Co Ltd or the Chinese Government.
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Stop taking advantage of ‘Allah’ socks issue, says king
Sultan Ibrahim says there is no need for any party to continue fuelling outrage as ‘persistent anger brings no benefit’.\
PETALING JAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has urged all parties to stop taking advantage of the controversy involving the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah”.
The king said the matter should be left to the authorities, adding that “persistent anger brings no benefit”.
“I have instructed that action be taken in accordance with the law, so there is no need for any party to continue fuelling anger,” he said in a Facebook post.
Sultan Ibrahim said action taken by the authorities was not just to punish guilty parties behind the issue, but to remind everyone of the need to protect the sensitivities of all Malaysians.
He called for every Malaysian to learn from the issue and work towards bolstering national unity.
“All parties, especially community leaders, must act with maturity.
“Let us guide the people towards unity, not division. This is an opportunity to gain a better understanding of each other in our diverse society, so that such incidents do not recur.”
Yesterday, KK Mart’s founder and director, Chai Kee Kan and Loh Siew Mui, were charged in court for intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by selling the socks, while three officers from Xin Jiang Chang Sdn Bhd, the company which supplied the socks, were charged with abetting.
All five claimed trial.
The controversy began when photographs were circulated on social media showing socks bearing the word “Allah” sold at a KK Mart shop in Bandar Sunway on March 13. KK Mart immediately issued an apology.
The issue has sparked public outrage, while Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has been calling for a public boycott of KK Mart outlets.
Former Wanita Umno chief Rafidah Aziz had described Akmal as a rabble-rouser the nation could do without, while former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker, who is now a senator, said the Umno Youth chief’s behaviour would lead to Barisan Nasional being viewed by the public with contempt.
Akmal had dismissed these criticisms, saying his actions were not for political mileage but simply to defend Islam.
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