'Ham And Cheese' Issue: Act Rationally, Sensibly - Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- All parties must think and act rationally and sensibly following the recent incident involving the sale of ham and cheese sandwich in a mini-market, said National Unity Advisory Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

Supporting National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang's call for calm and restraint, he said sensitive issues must be managed through proper channels to avoid disharmony and a situation whereby things can go out of control. 

"The incident concerning ham and cheese sandwich has been reported to the police and is now under investigation. Leave it to the police to conduct a fair and unbiased investigation," he said in a statement today.

Describing the red paint-splashing incident at a KK Mart outlet on Tuesday as an act of provocation, Lee warned that if left unchecked, it could lead to dire consequences.

"The red paint splashing incident is unacceptable and deals a blow to the very heart of our harmonious way of life," he said.

Lee said no one should exploit the situation and take the law into their own hands or do anything provocative to aggravate the situation.

"The path to progress is through harmony, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect, not through acts of provocation, aggression and intolerance. 

"Let us work together to ensure that such incidents are not repeated, and that the bonds of our nation remain strong in the face of adversity," he said.

According to media reports, a KK Mart outlet at a public university was splashed with red paint on Tuesday following the issue surrounding the misuse of the halal logo on a ham and cheese product.

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) had issued a media statement on Jan 13 confirming that the product sold at the store did not have Malaysian Halal Certification and the company producing the product was not halal certified.

-- BERNAMA