Zahid supports Anwar’s call not to harp and dwell on offensive socks issue

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi supported the Prime Minister’s call not to harp and dwell on the issue surrounding the religiously offensive socks spotted at some KK Super Mart outlets and to allow the necessary action to be taken.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this last night after he attended the breaking of fast with media practitioners at his official residence in Seri Perdana.

Besides Anwar's call for calm and a rationalised approach, Ahmad Zahid also stressed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had also made a timely decree on the issue.

He said the matter should be resolved in the best possible way, so it is not be used by some to link it with the 3Rs (religion, royal, race).

"Don't go overboard on this issue. I am optimistic that everyone will abide by His Majesty's decree," he said after a breaking-of-fast event held at Masjid Al-Amin Simpang Tiga here.

Among those present were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who is also the Nibong Tebal MP.

This is the Bagan Datoh MP's first visit to Penang this year.

Ahmad Zahid also stressed that all quarters should no longer discuss any sensitive issues out in the open.

"An apology had been made by the company in question and we believe they did not know about the matter and had no intention to offend anyone. Investigations also revealed the socks were imported from China and not made by the manufacturer here. We need to be more careful in future and let this be a lesson to everyone involved."

The King had recently expressed his displeasure that the socks with the word 'Allah' were sold at the convenience store chain.

He reminded everyone to uphold national harmony and refrain from exploiting sensitive issues related to religion, ethnicity, and royalty.

During his speech, Ahmad Zahid also spoke of seeking assistance from the DAP-led state government for the Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) to set up more factories and premises to produce halal products in the state.

He said this was timely because Penang had the potential to develop its halal industry due to the expanding global market for such products and the state’s status as a leading exporter in the country.

“This year there is an additional RM32 million allocation for PERDA as the Penang Port is important for the export of halal products. Currently, many halal products come from Thailand and we want halal products from Malaysia to increase as there is huge demand, especially among the Arab nations,” he said. - The Vibes, March 21, 2024.