Editor’s Note: Bukit Aman has issued a stern warning in response to recent incidents involving vigilante groups confronting individuals over the issue of socks bearing the word “Allah”.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain stated that such actions would not be tolerated and urged the public to allow the authorities to enforce the law.

Speaking at a media conference held at the federal police headquarters today (March 22), Shuhaily noted the importance of patience, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

DESPITE the garment factory embroiled in the “Allah” inscription on socks controversy having apologised, placed under investigation by the cops/authorities and its premises shuttered, this apparently did not stop am emotional civilian from taking the law into his own hands.

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by @AmenoWorld, a furious TikTokker was seen berating an employee of Xin Chang Sdn Bhd who was later identified as the factory’s manager.

His initial exhortations seemed reasonable enough when he said that the company must respect the sentiments of Muslims as they are its customers and that the “customer is always right”.

However, his tirade towards the hapless female employee began to turn ugly as the volume was raised and tone turned increasingly aggressive. He ended the video urging fellow Muslims to take action by “burning down the factory”.

The angry protest has brought a storm of comments with quite a few unimpressed by the belligerence of the man in the video, saying religious zealots are controlling the narrative.

Many urged people to keep cool and let the authorities do their job. Such over-the-top behaviour was unbecoming and unhelpful. As UMNO Youth has rallied for a public boycott, there is no need to incite further trouble.

Some said this was a vicious cycle with different groups taking turns to feel offended.

Some saw it as a calculated move to earn political brownie points.

More than a few pointed out that the protestor’s words and actions would negate his puasa (fasting) during the holy month of Ramadan for failing to keep his emotions in check.

Some sympathised with the lady manager, pointing out she was not at fault for the current fiasco.

Many netizens also raised the pertinent question about the presence of the police officer in the clip. Why did he allow the incident to take place? Are perpetrators now allowed to hurl abuse and threats at members of the pubic without fear of reprisals?

Some netizens highlighted that the country would descend into chaos if people were allowed to take the law into their own hands, citing the recent case of a motorist beaten to death by an angry mob after a hit-and-run incident.

Alas, it would appear that the perpetrator in the video has a loyal following on TikTok with many apparently supportive of his calls to action.

Whilst some questioned the motive of the content creator - was it a genuine protest or just a manoeuvre to earn more social media followers?

Some lamented that such behaviour painted Islam as a religion of extremists.

Amidst all the brouhaha, there are a few issues that need to be raised. Firstly, why did the police officer in the video allow this incident to happen in front of his nose? It only serves to reinforce the belief among some of the unfair application of the laws.

Secondly, will the authorities take any action against this individual for incitement? More extremists will be emboldened if this is left unpunished.

Last but not least, it would be extremely helpful if a well-respected/official religious figure spoke out against such inflammatory remarks. It would help diffuse the situation and also underline that such words and actions are un-Islamic, more so during the fasting month.

One netizen’s comment summed up the situation quite neatly. - March 22, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/taking-the-law-into-own-hands-video-of-angry-citizen-threatening-to-burn-sock-factory-goes-viral/