Despite royal reminders by both the King and the Sultan of Perak as well as stern warnings by Prime Minister, Home Minister and top police officers, a third KK Mart outlet was attacked with a Molotov cocktail. The King has called on all parties to stop taking advantage of the issue, saying it should now be left to the authorities. The King commanded that he had already ordered actions to be taken, so there was no need to keep fueling anger.
However the UMNO Youth leader refuses to heed this royal reminder and continues the boycott of KK Mart. This is irresponsible and unbecoming of a Melaka state government leader that is part of the unity government in Putrajaya. Despite the denials of the UMNO Youth leader of any political motivations and his condemnation of the attacks on KK Mart, this boycott has not stopped the violent attacks on KK Mart by unknown dangerous extremist elements. Earlier the KK Mart owner has tearfully apologised for his oversight and faces criminal charges in court by the authorities as commanded by the King.
What is concerning is that this time round, the KK Mart outlet attacked was in Sarawak, regarded as the most religiously tolerant state in Malaysia, famed for upholding unity in diversity as well as the home state of the KK Mart owner. Clearly no place is now safe in Malaysia from attacks on KK Mart outlets. Since the UMNO national leadership has decided to back their UMNO Youth leader in his continued boycott action, the Federal government must step in to prevent any fueling of anger to spiral dangerously out of control.
The Prime Minister should summon an emergency National Security Council meeting to discuss this situation and adopt urgent measures to prevent any escalation that would jeorpardize peace and harmony in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
LIM GUAN ENG
MP for BAGAN
