KUALA LUMPUR: Umno backs its youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's stance on the "Allah" socks controversy.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the matter was discussed during its Supreme Council meeting, reaffirming Umno's steadfast commitment to upholding the sanctity of Islam.
He said the issue had not affected relations among the leaders of coalition parties within the unity government, including cabinet ministers.
"The Supreme Council fully supports the Umno Youth chief's stance and Umno's aim is to preserve the purity of Islam. "Even in the formation of this unity government, we have laid down four conditions and signed two agreements.
"Umno has laid down conditions, emphasising the importance of not undermining Islam's position as the religion of the Federation," he said during a press conference at Menara Dato Onn today.
Asyraf said Article 3(1), which establishes Islam as the religion of the Federation, as well as Article 153's provisions regarding the interests and privileges of Malay Bumiputeras and the affirmation of the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers, along with the Malay language as the nation's core foundation, were prerequisites for the formation of the unity government.
This came in response to Akmal, who is also a member of the State Legislative Assembly for Merlimau and Melaka Exco. Akmal had launched a campaign to boycott KK Mart supermarkets following the sale of socks bearing the word Allah.
Dr Akmal was reported to remain steadfast in his demand despite pressure from government coalition allies not to boycott KK Mart over the sock controversy.
Meanwhile, Asyraf said Umno was deeply concerned about several sensitive issues touching on the sanctity of Islam, racial polemics which had the potential to spark disharmony in Malaysia's multicultural society.
"Umno firmly stands by the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia,, urging all layers of society to uphold national harmony and not play up sensitive issues involving 3Rs (race, religion, and royalty).
"Umno fully supports His Majesty's call for the sternest possible action against any party found cheating and involved in any attempt to belittle the word "Allah"," he said.
He said that as a party that serves as a bastion and guardian of the sovereignty of Islam and the interests of the nation, Umno would never compromise on any action that undermines the sanctity of Islam.
Umno also called for all races to consider the current issues as boundaries and important lessons so as not to repeat them to preserve harmony, unity and the cohesion of the multiethnic and multireligious populace.