KUALA LUMPUR: The controversy involving socks imprinted with the word Allah and Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Salleh's call for a boycott of the KK Super Mart chain which sold the items has now sparked a reaction from DAP secretary general Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said political leaders should always build bridges and lead society in a harmonious way.
He said the issue should be handled in a better way instead of the manner it was being managed now.
He said KK Group of Companies founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai had met with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) yesterday to provide an explanation over the matter.
"We don't agree with Umno Youth's approach. We feel that sensitive issues should be handled with more care.
"These issues will happen from time to time and it is important that we have to build trust, good relationship and understanding between different faith, different religion and different races.
"I would like to ask Dr Akmal, if this were to happen to a Muslim-owned store or chain, what would be his reaction?
"Yes, there was a mistake, they (KK Super Mart) admitted it and their immediate reaction was to apologise publicly. When that apology is made, we should try to solve the issue well," he told reporters after a cheque presentation ceremony at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).
On Saturday, Akmal issued an ultimatum to the management of KK Super Mart to put-up a banner at all 881 branches of the convenience store nationwide to apologise for the sale of socks bearing the word "Allah."
He warned that the wing would initiate a stronger boycott against KK Super Mart in the event the management of the convenience store failed to submit to its demands within two days.
Loke said political leaders should try to build bridges and resolve arising issues instead of escalating matters.
Loke said he had also communicated the DAP's stance to the Umno leadership yesterday including to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.