PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants immediate action to be taken according to the law regarding the issue of socks bearing the word 'Allah'.
He said upon receiving reports, swift and decisive action must be taken to prevent any disrespect towards any religion, particularly Islam.
"My view is clear, if there are reports, there must be consequences. Immediate action should be taken, followed by decisions in accordance with legal processes, and we must move forward.
"Why are we still caught up in these prolonged issues? Yes, there are reports. Take action. There should be no insult to any religion, especially Islam.
"Let's not perpetuate this discussion as if it is a disaster and a big one in the country," he told reporters after breaking fast with 200 media practitioners at Seri Perdana here today.
Also present were his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Media Prima Group chairman Datuk Seri Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid, Media Prima Group managing director Rafiq Razali, Group Managing Editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman and New Straits Times Group Editor Farrah Naz Karim.
A total of 200 print, electronic and online media practitioners from over 70 local media agencies, including Sabah and Sarawak, local and international media clubs, and media veterans were celebrated at this event.
When asked about action against leaders within the civil government who have also commented on this issue, he advised all parties against going to extremes or adopting narrow-minded perspectives.
"A political body that is free and democratic cannot follow a system of walak (loyalty) and within the party that is loyal, it does not restrict free thinking. It does not allow it.
"People make mistakes just as we sometimes do through negligence, so don't follow through as if to torment someone more than necessary," he said.
Previously, police opened two investigation papers related to the issue of socks bearing the word 'Allah' being sold at KK Super Mart convenience stores, which recently went viral.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, was reported to have said that so far, a total of 42 police reports have been received nationwide regarding the incident.
Last Saturday, the top management of KK Super Mart expressed regret over the incident of the socks bearing the word Allah at one of its outlets in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.
In response, Umno Youth gave the management of KK Super Mart a period of two days to put-up a banner at all 881 branches of the convenience store nationwide to apologise for the sale of socks.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh, 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.