“There’s no need to create unnecessary controversy within our society. Certain regulations are needed to give Muslims peace of mind.”

– PM Anwar Ibrahim admonishing MP Teresa Kok during the halal certification controversy

COMMENT | The prime minister chose to admonish Seputeh MP Teresa Kok for stirring the hornet's nest when she was just doing her job during the halal certification controversy last year.

But Anwar Ibrahim appears to be sitting on his hands while Umno Youth head honcho Dr Akmal Saleh uses race and religion in issues such as the KK Mart fiasco, weaponises the Jalur Gemilang against non-Malays, thumbs his nose at the state security apparatus and insults folks with disabilities.

Anwar, while wanting the authorities to take strong action, cannot even bring himself to utter Akmal’s name or the name of the poor Chinese trader whom the Madani government victimised by way of Akmal, a member of this administration.

The police have called Akmal in, but as former law minister Zaid Ibrhaim said, he is one of the untouchables.

This is what the...