Akmal should apologise to Kok over halal cert issue, says DAP man

Dr Boo Cheng Hau welcomes recent Cabinet decision, says Federal Constitution should be the highest guiding principle for government policies.

(FMT) – A Johor DAP leader has called for Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to apologise to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and settle their legal battle amicably.

State committee member Dr Boo Cheng Hau said this in the wake of the recent Cabinet decision not to make halal certification mandatory for all restaurants.

‘This decision by the Cabinet is in line with Article 3 of the Federal Constitution. The Federal Constitution should be the highest guiding principle for government policies.

“All political parties and leaders must respect the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the country including Article 3 that guarantees the freedom of religion while Islam remains as the official religion,” he said in a statement.

Boo added that this proves the DAP vice-chairman’s concerns over the matter were based on the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all Malaysians.

“Her views reflect the concerns from all walks of life as the people, including both Malay and non-Malay small businesses, are facing economic hardship,” he said.

He also called for Akmal to respect the feelings of Malaysians of all faiths as per the Constitution.

“Akmal should not only apologise to Teresa Kok personally but also apologise to all Malaysians for failing to grasp the truth and to respect the constitutional rights of believers of all other religions and unite all Malaysians.

“He should show more mature leadership as one of the country’s potential future leaders and avoid repeating the dark politics of the past,” Boo said.

Earlier this month, Kok had questioned the proposal to make halal certification mandatory for food establishments that do not serve pork and alcohol.

In response, Akmal posted a video on TikTok in which he called Kok an old “nyonya lady” and said she should not interfere with Islamic matters, particularly regarding the halal certification proposal.

The Merlimau assemblyman had also allegedly called her an “embarrassment” to the country.

Kok then sent a letter of demand to Akmal stating that she would sue him for RM25 million if he failed to apologise and retract his allegedly defamatory statements and remove them from his social media account.

In his statement, Boo also called for Article 3 to be reinstated with a more progressive interpretation that the Malay Rulers are not only the protector of Malay Muslims, but also act as the protector of all faiths to preserve the inter-racial and inter-religious harmony in the country.