Take responsibility and defuse situation, Saifuddin tells KK Mart boycott movers

• UPDATED 9.05PM | Added Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s comments.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has called on proponents of a boycott against KK Mart convenience stores to take responsibility and end their role in instigating heated public sentiments.

This follows the second and latest firebomb attack against a KK Mart outlet in Kuantan, Pahang, early this morning.

“Calling for and encouraging people to boycott a brand may not be an offence under the law, but it is clearly wrong when people act to trespass or attempt to torch a KK Mart outlet.

“This act can cause a loss of property and lives. Police will still take action under the law in the name of public interest.

"I urge those who pushed for this boycott to also take responsibility to defuse the situation and end actions stoking public sentiment,” Saifuddin (above) said in a statement.

Among the vocal proponents for a boycott against KK Mart over the "Allah” socks debacle was Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh who had remained unfazed despite being rebuked by three ministers.

Saifuddin noted that the recent attacks have proven the government’s concerns when dealing with issues related to race, religion and royalty (3R).

"The socks issue showed how easily the people’s emotions and sentiments can be played by irresponsible parties,” he said.

The minister urged the public to allow room for police to identify, arrest and investigate individuals involved in the KK Mart attacks.

“I’m confident that the majority of the people are peace-loving, living in harmony and respecting differences among us,” he added.

‘Don’t jump to conclusions’

Akmal has reportedly condemned the second arson attack on KK Mart.

Speaking to Astro Awani, he urged those who support the boycott call to not commit any violence.

However, Akmal also called for the public to not jump to conclusions about who was behind the attacks, saying that it could be anyone.

"We urge the police to investigate and take strong action against the perpetrators.

"We also shouldn't make any conclusion because we do not know who did it. It could be person A or person B," he was quoted as saying.

Akmal added that he believed certain quarters tried to link the boycott campaign to racial issues and this has led to violence.

"We also see this as a wrong act. It is not wrong to support boycott calls like what we have been doing all these while, but I have not seen any Muslim or Malay burning McDonald's or Starbucks shops.

"I believe some people tried to take advantage of this issue. (But) do not make any conclusion just yet."

Akmal previously condemned the first attempted firebombing of a KK Mart branch in Bidor, Perak, earlier this week, stating that such extreme acts were unacceptable.

Earlier today, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Saifuddin to take immediate executive action to ease the escalating situation.

Prior to the incident this morning, a petrol bomb was first thrown at a KK Mart outlet in Bidor, Perak on March 26.

On the same day, KK Mart founder Chai Kee Kan and his wife Loh Siew Mui, both directors of the company, were charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court with deliberately hurting religious feelings.

Both claimed trial to the charge.

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