‘Aggression’ not needed to win Malay support, says analyst

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: An analyst has described Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s recent outburst against DAP MP Teresa Kok over the halal certification issue as excessive, saying there is no need to resort to aggression to win Malay support.

The issue arose after religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said earlier this month that the Malaysian Islamic development department (Jakim) was considering making halal certification mandatory for eateries that do not serve pork and alcohol.

Kok voiced her opposition to the move, saying the government should allow business owners to decide for themselves whether to seek halal certification rather than force them into doing so.

Akmal, the Merlimau assemblyman, responded by calling Kok "nyonya tua" (elderly Chinese lady) and said she was an embarrassment to the country. He also told her not to speak on matters concerning Islam.

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