Socks debacle: Patriot calls for rationality to prevail

Patriot’s concern and fears stem from what we are witnessing in certain other countries where political instability, social mayhem and severe damage to property and lives are the precipitate outcome of unbridled religious or racial frenzy.

Lt Col (Rtd) Dato’ Zarazilah Mohd Ali, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan

Patriot, an association of retired defense and police officers as well as civilians is deeply troubled by the widely
reported several pairs of socks that purportedly bears the revered name of God (‘Allah’).

Social media has been rife with condemnations, shock and instigation. Many right minded citizens have also
registered the need to not politicize the ‘sensitive’ case.

While we welcome the quick action by the authorities as well as the prompt apology extended to all Malaysians by
the supermarket proprietor, Patriot registers its reservations and concerns.

Foremost, in a nation where multi religions all have their rightful and responsible place, politicizing or attempting to wrench political mileage of such ‘sensitive’ incidents can turn out to be highly explosive.

Further, spiking the citizens with immature, dangerous and diabolic calls for action cannot be tolerated if we are to
prevent another May 13.

From a national security vantage, Patriot emphasizes that this incident could have been better handled.

We recommend that the government of the day should urgently ink a policy that deems using social media to report
and or to sensationalize matters relating to race and religious sensitivities as unlawful and severely punishable.

And the government should provide official avenues where such concerns or incidents deemed to affect racial and
religious harmony can be deposited for prompt, wise action.

As a suggestion, the police station is the right place where concerned citizens can go to report any such incident that
must be tackled and arrested without causing undue alarm or becoming the agitator for widespread instability.

Patriot also takes offense to how some politicians have failed to put unity, tolerance and harmony over and above this ‘socks’ incident.

While all religions must be respected, any attempt to deride or insult cannot be let off without enforcing the rule of
law firmly.

Patriot’s concern and fears stem from what we are witnessing in certain other countries where political instability,
social mayhem and severe damage to property and lives are the precipitate outcome of unbridled religious or racial
frenzy.

Lately Patriot has observed how in Malaysia race and religious sensitivities are being continuously exploited by
politicians and even some individuals claiming to be pious defenders of faith.

The calls by our Rulers are also not being respected or heeded. This trend cannot go on and on.

Patriot calls on the prime minister to draw the lines quickly and firmly.

We certainly cannot afford a case of the fourth stone that breaks the camel’s back.

We are living in perilous times and the brakes must be pulled now.

 

Lt Col (Rtd) Dato’ Zarazilah Mohd Ali
President
Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
MALAYSIA