Politicians should build bridges, not escalate matters, says Loke

KUALA LUMPUR: Politicians should strive to build bridges instead of escalating situations when sensitive issues arise, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister and DAP secretary-general said this was the view of the government and his party.

“We must try to build bridges to resolve issues and to lower the temperature,” he told reporters after presenting a mock cheque of RM40mil to the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) on Tuesday (March 19).

The RM40mil is the annual financial support given by the government to the university.

On the KK Super Mart socks issue, Loke said politicians should not be blowing it up.

Loke was responding to Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s statement that an apology over the sale of socks with the word “Allah” in KK Mart convenience stores was not enough.

“Yes, KK Super Mart made a mistake and they have admitted to it and apologised,” he said, adding that the wrongdoing will be investigated by the authorities.

Loke said he had contacted KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai and helped to arrange the meeting with the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on Monday (March 18).

He said he had also presented DAP’s views to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh at Istana Negara’s buka puasa event on Monday (March 18).

“All political leaders should build bridges and build understanding with one another,” he said, adding that this kind of issues will happen from time to time.

“But it’s important that we build trust, good relationships and understanding between the different faiths, different religions and different races,” added Loke.

Meanwhile, the university’s Board of Governor’s chairman and Alumni Council chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy thanked the government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the contribution, which is recognition of the university’s 55 years of contribution in nation building, training more than 300,000 graduates.

He said the RM40mil committed to by Cabinet in 2012 is important to ensure they can run their over 200 programmes across their main campus and branch campuses.

“The presence of YB (Anthony Loke) here today shows the firm commitment of the government to the decision of the Cabinet in 2012 that they will continue supporting TAR UMT,” said Chan.