PUTRAJAYA – The prevalence of certain quarters causing unrest amid the fiasco over the sales of “Allah”-printed socks sold by convenience store chain KK Mart has called for the need for authorities to take action, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Following a cabinet meeting yesterday, he said his ministry was tasked to monitor elements of inciting violence and extreme actions, or those that affect national security.
“As a result, there is (the existence) inciting activities, with no respect to the law, peace, as well as people of various races, religions, cultures, and sensitivities,” he told a press conference at his ministry today.
“There is an existence of groups whose job is to raise concern in the form of extreme incitement, which then leads to action…now, there is a need for security forces to take action.”
Saifuddin emphasised the importance of respecting and following the advice of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim to swiftly resolve the matter, noting that KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan has issued an apology.
KK Mart and its manufacturer Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd landed in hot water after being caught selling several of the “Allah”-printed socks, resulting in outrage in the Muslim community and boycott calls from certain quarters.
The controversy escalated with several KK Mart outlets being targeted, including incidents involving Molotov cocktails in Kuantan, Pahang, and Bidor, Perak, as well as a petrol bomb attack in Kuching.
Updates on arrests – including the possible involvement of Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh – were not disclosed by Saifuddin, who deferred to the police for further action.
Chai apologised soon after the controversy, admitting that he did not do a full inspection of every pair of socks.
However, he stressed that only three outlets carried the socks, and only 14 pairs had “Allah” on them.
The authorities later found five more pairs of the offensive socks during a raid at the manufacturer’s premises in Batu Pahat.
Last week, Chai and his wife Loh Siew Mui were charged in the Shah Alam sessions court for intentionally hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims, while three of Xin Jian Chang’s directors were also charged with abetting the duo in the socks’ distribution.
The two companies are also engaged in a separate civil suit brought by KK Mart, which is claiming more than RM30 million in damages and losses caused by Xin Jian Chang’s alleged sabotage. – April 4, 2024