Kuala Lumpur: All parties must think and act rationally and sensibly following the recent incident involving the sale of a 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 emphasized that sensitive issues must be managed through proper channels to avoid disharmony and a situation whereby things can go out of control.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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.

Lee described the red paint-splashing incident as an act of provocation and 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.

He further stated that 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,” Lee added.

In conclusion, Lee urged everyone to work together to ensure that such incidents are not repeated and that the bonds of the nation remain strong in the face of adversity.