KUALA LUMPUR: Those who had instigated a boycott of KK Mart following the 'Allah' socks issue must take responsibility for the firebombing incidents and stop inciting the people.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Abdullah said the authorities have already taken appropriate action, including bringing the companies involved to court.
"However, the situation becomes even more dangerous when some quarters seize on the opportunity to flame racial and religious sentiments for the benefit of a few.
"It has now been proven that our concerns over 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues all this while have been justified, despite being doubted by various quarters.
"This socks issue has shown that it is very easy for irresponsible people to play on the emotions and sentiments of the people," he said in a statement today.
Saifuddin said while calling on the people to boycott a particular brand is not illegal, breaking into or trying to set a convenience store ablaze are clear offences.
These acts, he said, can lead to destruction of property and loss of lives.
"Police will continue to take action to help the people, in accordance with the law.
"I ask those who had instigated this boycott to also take responsibility by diffusing the situatoon and stop inciting the people," he said.
A KK Mart convenience store in Kuantan was hit with a molotov cocktail attack this morning.
The shop has only been in operation for two weeks.
An unknown person had lobbed a firebomb into the shop. However, the fire was put out by the shop staff.
This marked the second time in four days that a KK Mart has been hit with a firebomb attack.
On March 26, a KK Mart convenience store in Jalan Bruseh, Bidor, Perak was hit with a petrol bomb.
However, it landed in an empty area and failed to ignite.