King: Blunders related to religious issues unacceptable

PETALING JAYA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, called for stern action to be taken by the authorities against those responsible for the controversial socks issue.

In expressing his anger over the matter, His Majesty said the socks sold at a convenience store chain with the word “Allah” on them were a grave matter as the incident has offended Muslims and threatened national harmony.

“The word ‘Allah’ is highly revered by Muslims. Furthermore, such matters should not have occurred during the Ramadan month that could provoke anger.

“Whether this was intentional or otherwise, whether the socks were imported or produced by local factories, I want the authorities to investigate and take stern action in accordance with the law so that such matters are not repeated,” Sultan Ibrahim said in a statement on Facebook yesterday.

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His Majesty said that it does not make sense for a company that has Malaysian staff to not be aware of such matters.

Sultan Ibrahim said that during his royal address in Parliament last month, he issued a reminder to the people not to manipulate or politicise the 3R (race, religion and royalty) against the Federal Constitution.

“I had issued advice on the importance of people of all races being united and respectful of each other. But still, this issue has risen. All of us have been living together for such a long time in a multicultural society.

“Blunders related to religious and racial issues such as this are unacceptable and should never be allowed to happen again,” said Sultan Ibrahim.

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In Johor Baru, the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim has called for firm action on the issue involving the sale of the controversial socks at a convenience store chain and ensure that it will never happen again.

“The name of Allah is an important holy word for Muslims.

“I urge the authorities to take firm action and ensure that an issue like this does not happen again. This issue cannot be taken lightly,” Tunku Ismail said in a Facebook post yesterday.

His Majesty said he considers this issue to be serious and hopes that it will not jeopardise national harmony.