KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh was detained by police this morning as soon as he arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport to attend a Kembar Ramadan programme.
In a Facebook post today, he confirmed that he was detained at the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters after being taken there from the airport.
“I was detained this morning at Kota Kinabalu, though I was scheduled to have my statement recorded at IPD Dang Wangi tomorrow,” he said.
“InsyAllah, I will give my full cooperation.
“Please pray that everything will be alright,” he said, adding that he will not budge from his stand (over the “Allah”-printed sock issue).
He was initially scheduled to attend the programme in Sabah with state Umno Youth members.
Though Akmal did not reveal the reason for his detention, there have been calls for him to be investigated in relation to the KK Mart controversy.
Akmal has taken a vocal stance against KK Mart, which has been mired in controversy after it was found selling socks bearing the word “Allah”.
The controversy began when photographs were circulated on social media showing socks bearing the word “Allah” sold at KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet on March 13.
The company subsequently apologised, while Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan and a KK Mart director claimed trial for wounding religious sentiments. Three officers from Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, the Batu Pahat-based vendor that supplied KK Mart with the socks, were also charged.
Three KK Mart outlets have since been attacked with petrol bombs, which Akmal has condemned.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain was reported as saying that no probe has been launched into Akmal over a social media post showing him wielding a sword as no report had been lodged against the Merlimau assemblyman.
Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and human rights group Lawyers for Liberty have questioned the need for a report to be filed before the police take action. – April 5, 2024