PETALING JAYA: An MCA senator has expressed concern that Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh's approach of assuming multiple roles – "judge, jury, and executioner" – would lead the public to hold Barisan Nasional (BN) in contempt.
Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker criticised Akmal for his tendency to react emotionally to issues, often disregarding the law and taking matters into his own hands, according to a media report.
"Such arrogance will only alienate the people from Umno and BN," he said during the debate on the king's address in the Dewan Negara.
Ti, a former MCA vice-president, also accused Akmal of encouraging a group of "vigilantes" to administer their version of justice.
"He cited an incident involving a silat group confronting a Facebook user over allegedly insensitive remarks made regarding the sale of socks bearing the word 'Allah'.
"This could potentially lead to criminal intimidation or assault, despite no physical harm. We must prevent such trends from escalating into violence and harm," said Ti, echoing former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Latheefa Koya's sentiments, as quoted by FMT.
Latheefa had condemned the actions of the silat group as "bullying and distasteful", urging individuals to report offenses to the police rather than resorting to vigilante justice.
This isn't the first time Ti has criticised Akmal. Last September, he rebuked Akmal for intervening in rice mills in Melaka, where Akmal allegedly threatened to revoke licenses and seize goods, actions Ti deemed beyond Akmal's jurisdiction and potentially amounting to bullying.
Recently, Akmal called for a boycott of KK Mart over the socks issue, insisting on continued action despite calls from other leaders to resolve the matter swiftly.
Akmal deemed KK Mart's apology insufficient and demanded apology banners to be displayed at all of the store's 881 outlets.