In the latest ‘socks’ issue to dominate the headlines, many people will think that the one to lose the most will be the KK Super Mart convenience store chain.

No! It is not!

When Umno-Baru Youth chief, Muhamad Akmal Saleh, decided to prolong the socks issue, he dragged the country further down the slippery slope.

We become victims of Akmal’s pitiful and selfish actions. His demands hold the country to ransom.

Most of us worry about Malaysia, especially when news headlines are dominated by bak kut teh, Chinese new villages, vernacular schools and now, socks.  

Perhaps, Prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, should keep his house in order. The socks issue was allowed to escalate and many Muslim politicians for reasons of their own, said nothing.

Anwar should have shown leadership and admonish the members of his unity government, in particular the Umno-Baru youth leader who stoked tensions.

However, Anwar only broke his silence on 20 March, more than a week after the socks issue first surfaced.

During this crucial period, KK Mart was accused of deliberately insulting Islam, threats were made to burn down a factory in Batu Pahat and endanger lives, whilst the personal details of the factory owner and importer for the socks were leaked.

Incredibly, the deputy PM, who is also the Umno-Baru president, Zahid Hamidi, said that he had asked Akmal to handle the controversial socks issue.

Zahid chose the wrong person.

Akmal has made the situation more tense. Instead of building bridges, Umno-Baru Youth is building walls higher than before and burning any bridges that have been built. What happened to the tolerance, patience and forgiveness of Ramadhan?

On 13 March, KK Mart’s owner, KK Chai apologised after being informed that socks bearing the words ‘Allah’, had been sold by the store. Images of the socks sold in KK Mart at Bandar Sunway, had gone viral on social media.

Two days later, on 15 March, the police said then, that they were not launching an investigation as ‘no complaints had been lodged about it’.

However, on 16 March, Akmal took the peculiar step of urging Malaysians to ‘teach KK Mart a lesson’ and said, “If police cannot investigate because there is no report, then Umno Youth throughout Malaysia will file a police report from today.

“Come on all Malaysians, let’s show these brazen people, that this country still has people who can teach them a lesson.”

Dissatisfied with Chai’s apology, he urged Malaysians to boycott the store, if the chain did not post banners apologising about the incident.

Akmal’s unreasonable demands are tantamount to bullying.

Out of several thousand pairs of socks, does anyone wonder why only five pairs were printed with the words ‘Allah’ and sold? Was this a work of sabotage by a person or persons unknown? Was it business rivalry? Who has the motive to further divide the nation?

In the end, everyone becomes a victim of Akmal’s provocations, despite Chai’s prompt apology.

Chai expressed dismay and said that in his 23 years of operation, this shoe issue was most ‘unexpected’.  

Those who wish to create disharmony should ask themselves. Why would Chai stoke tensions between different communities, jeopardise his business and risk the employment and safety of his workers?

Moreover, he has shown willingness to meet with all parties, including with the controversial Akmal to explain the matter and help move forwards.

If KK Mart is forced to close down outlets because business is slow from the boycott, then the people will suffer. Customers presumably shop at KK Mart because they are happy with their service, their products and cost.

The workers will suffer because they will be out of a job. If anecdotal evidence is to be believed, most of the people who work in such outlets are Malay.

KK Mart does not operate on its own. There will be drivers, factory workers, and if the product is imported, the workers in warehousing. All will be affected.

Akmal’s intransigence will impact local businesses and they will be consumed by a culture of fear.

After the corruption scandals and mismanagement of Malaysia by consecutive governments, many Malaysians have a deep mistrust of politicians. Akmal has just reinforced our beliefs.

Most Malaysians are prepared to accept that there had been an honest oversight by KK Mart, but Akmal appears desperate to prolong this socks issue. Has he higher political ambitions? He is creating headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Malaysia also becomes the other victim. The nation’s good name will suffer. We have always been known as a moderate Muslim nation, but Akmal’s bully tactics make us look like an intolerant and extremist county.

On his return from Germany,  Anwar wanted us to focus on the economy and attract investment. Ironically, Akmal’s actions do the opposite.

Investors want stability. They risk losing the millions of USD invested in building factories because mediocre politicians want to create headlines with their racist and religious rhetoric. Foreign investors will steer clear of Malaysia.

Teaching others a lesson is not what Islam is about, nor is humiliating others, like making unacceptable demands on KK Mart’s owner.

In the true spirit of Ramadhan, Chai has shown more goodwill, humility and understanding to reach out to Muslims to mend relations for everyone’s sake.

Now that Chai has offered his hand of friendship, will Akmal meet him halfway?

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)