The Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GerakSikh) has lodged a police report on what it claimed is the image of the Kanda, a religious symbol of Sikhism, appearing on slippers.
GerakSikh secretary-general Amarjit Singh Gill, who lodged the report at Ipoh Central police station, said he was shocked when he saw pictures of the slipper being sold in Alor Setar.
"I urge the police to investigate this matter thoroughly under the Sedition Act 1948 to make sure that those who have done such a heinous act be made responsible," Amarjit said in a statement...
We must send a strong message to others not to play with religion. We are living in harmony and any attempt by irresponsible people to destroy this harmony will not be taken lightly.
This is an act of blasphemy and cannot be tolerated by us particularly in Malaysia.
I’d like to remind people they should not play with other people’s religion. Its off limits and any such move will not be taken lightly and we hope the authorities will investigate this matter thoroughly so as to ensure such episode will never happen again.
The shop owner who sold the slippers also made a police report today to apologise to the Sikhs and said that he was not aware the symbol is a religious symbol of the Sikhs. He said he will return the slippers to the manufacturer, who is based in Thailand.
Although it’s good the shop owner has apologised as he was ignorant, what about other shops who may be selling them as well?
If we do not highlight this issue, this will not stop others from doing this and take advantage of our silence. Do not treat our silence as a sign of weakness.”
