DAP Youth chief, MCA veep 'ham'-mer Akmal for fanning flames
DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong has called out Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for allegedly sensationalising the ham sandwich controversy involving KK Mart outlets at Universiti Malaya.
In a statement, Woo accused Akmal of creating the impression that UM authorities failed to act on the matter.
Summary
DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong accuses Umno’s Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh of sensationalising the Universiti Malaya ham sandwich issue despite the university promptly closing two KK Mart outlets.
MCA vice-president Wee Jeck Seng, meanwhile, says issues involving halal certification should be resolved through proper channels instead of being escalated into political conflicts.
Woo and Wee urge politicians to foster harmony instead of stoking tensions.
DAP and MCA have roasted Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for sensationalising the "ham" sandwich controversy involving KK Mart outlets at Universiti Malaya (UM).
In a statement, DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong accused Akmal of creating the impression that UM authorities failed to act on the matter.
“In reality, the university authorities had already ordered an immediate closure whenever any suspicious incident occurred,” he said in a statement today.
Akmal had earlier posted a video on Facebook expressing outrage over the sale of ham and cheese sandwiches, questioning how KK Mart obtained halal certification for the product.
Before Akmal’s posting, on Saturday (Jan 11), UM directed the immediate closure of two KK Mart outlets on campus due to concerns about the halal labelling of the sandwich packs, ensuring that investigations could proceed without interference.
Most ham cold cuts sold in Malaysia are either made of chicken or turkey.
However, Akmal told Malaysiakini that it needs to be stated what animal is used to make the ham for halal certification.
Elaborating, Woo highlighted that all universities under the jurisdiction of Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir - also from Umno - would never compromise on such issues.
He also urged politicians to focus on lowering political tensions instead of deliberately trying to divide Malaysia’s pluralistic society, which he accused certain quarters, including the opposition, of doing.
“Youth leaders should focus on building bridges of unity, not act as a hidden danger by further destroying those bridges.
“Let us not fan the flames or play the hero.
“Do not behave like empty vessels - making a lot of noise but lacking substance,” he added.
‘Extreme rhetoric erodes trust’
In a separate statement, MCA vice-president Wee Jeck Seng said that Malaysians - especially politicians - must strive to uphold harmony.
“Extreme rhetoric from politicians not only lacks constructiveness but can also erode trust between communities.
"If such hateful sentiments continue to fester, they will have long-term negative impacts on the nation’s social and economic development," he said.
The Tanjung Piai MP pointed out that any matters related to halal certification should be resolved through the appropriate channels of professional agencies.
This is to prevent controversies from escalating into political conflicts, ensuring Malaysia remains a peaceful, inclusive, and business-friendly nation, he added.
“When every business decision or product can be politicised, it will significantly diminish Malaysia's appeal.
"Businesses want to operate in a fair and stable environment, not in a climate of constant controversy and uncertainty.
"This behaviour will undermine local business confidence and discourage foreign investments, ultimately damaging the national economy," he said.
