PSM urges PM to douse KK Mart 'fire', address nation

PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step up and cool rising tensions over the KK Mart socks controversy.

He said there are two options for the premier, who he said was not ready to “douse the fire” on the issue.

The first was to convene a Madani coalition meeting to put forward a united stand on the issue, which Arutchelvan (above) said could put Umno in its place.

“Umno only contributes 26 seats, which is less than 12 percent of seats.

“In election terms, if a candidate obtains less than 12.5 percent of the total votes, they would lose their deposits. Today Umno is fanning all the racial tensions and it is tolerated,” the PSM leader said in a statement yesterday.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has been one of the most vocal proponents for KK Mart to be punished and boycotted after socks bearing the word Allah were found in three of its outlets in Selangor.

The Umno supreme council, in turn, had expressed support for Akmal.

Yesterday, tensions rose to a new height after an attempted arson attack at a KK Mart outlet in Bidor, Perak.

Plead for calm and harmony

Arutchelvan said the second option for Anwar to ease tensions is to make a televised address to the nation.

“Go on national TV and plead for calm and harmony to prevail. I am sure the majority of people will appreciate these efforts.

“When Anwar doesn’t take a strong stand, it reminds me of when Icerd (The International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination) was under attack by PAS and its allies, the prime minister then (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) just kept quiet and let things accelerate,” he added.

He reminded Anwar of when the premier made a commendable speech defending Hamas and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during his trip to Germany.

Yesterday, former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin also called on Anwar to address the nation to unite Malaysians during this divisive moment.

Anwar thus far was only reported to have commented on the KK Mart controversy twice.

The first time, he said a probe must be carried out over the matter, but that punishment should not be excessive.

He also said there was no need to drag the issue out longer.

On Monday, Anwar reiterated that religions should not be insulted, especially Islam.

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