By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 19: Ten KK Super Mart outlets across Sarawak, along with over 800 stores in the convenience store chain across Malaysia, are issuing a public apology via electronic cashier displays amidst the recent controversy surrounding the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah”.
At a KK Mart outlet in Jalan Stephen Yong here, the apology statement has been visible on the cashier monitor since yesterday (March 18), expressing the chain’s regret to the Muslim community over the incident.
The store supervisor, who wished to remain anonymous, believes there are no boycotting activities against the brand in Kuching.
“Business is as usual at our branch. Everything is normal so far,” she told DayakDaily during a visit today.
The statement read, “In light of recent events, KK Super Mart extends its sincere apologies to the Muslim community for the discovery of socks from the Miranosock brand featuring the word ‘Allah’ at KK Super Mart Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.”
The company assures that it has taken decisive action by immediately terminating its business relationship with the supplier company, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, and is pursuing legal action.
“All products distributed from this supplier were no longer available in the KK Super Mart outlets throughout Malaysia.
“Maintaining harmony in a society of multiple religions and races is our objective. We regret the issue that occurred and ask for forgiveness,” the statement concluded.
This controversy arose after a video surfaced showing a branch of the chain in Peninsular Malaysia selling socks with the Arabic inscription of “Allah”.
KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai, who is a Sarawakian, had come forward on March 16 to apologise in a press conference while urging consumers not to boycott the brand.
As reported by various national dailies, Chai stated that inspections conducted at 800 branches nationwide revealed that only three outlets carried the socks, with a total of 14 pairs bearing the inscription.
Soh Chin Huat, the owner of the vendor company Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, which rented a space at the convenience stores, admitted to oversight in the inspection of products procured from China.
However, these measures did not satisfy Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh, who demanded that the convenience store chain display apology banners at all 881 stores nationwide and called for a boycott.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak responded to Akmal’s demands, emphasising the importance of avoiding escalation and divisive rhetoric that could harm the multicultural fabric and local economy.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing criticised Akmal’s approach, urging him to refrain from exploiting racial issues “to try to be a hero”, as it is inappropriate behaviour for the leader of a political party’s youth wing.
According to The Star, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the police would summon the representatives from KK Supermart and several other individuals to assist in investigations.
Two investigation papers have been opened under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Additionally, Bukit Aman CID director of Communications Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain revealed that 42 police reports have been lodged regarding the case. — DayakDaily
