KUALA LUMPUR – A 35-year-old local man was arrested yesterday for allegedly insulting Islam in a Facebook post over the sale of socks printed with the word “Allah”.
Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said in a statement that the man will be remanded for four days, from today until March 24.
“An arrest was made yesterday in Cheras on a man believed to be behind the Facebook account with the name Chiok Wai Loong.
“The case is being investigated by Bukit Aman’s Classified Crime Investigation Unit, Prosecution/Law (D5) Division, under Section 298A of the Penal Code (insulting religion), and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (misuse of network facilities).
“Seeing that the case is under probe, the public is advised against making statements on social media that would threaten national harmony and unity, especially touching in 3R (ruler, religion, race) issues.”
Yesterday, Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP) issued a notice to revoke the business licence and shut down the operations of Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, the supplier of the socks to KK Mart convenience stores.
Previously, CID said KK Group of Companies founder and group executive chairman Datuk Seri K.K. Chai and seven others were called up to provide their statements over the “Allah”-printed socks.
A total of 80 reports have been lodged with the police over the socks as of noon yesterday.
Five pairs of socks bearing the word “Allah” during an inspection at a factory in Batu Pahat, Johor on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd manager Soh Hui San apologised for the company’s oversight in the matter, adding that the socks were imported from China.
Chai had profusely apologised last Saturday after KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway branch was found to be selling the contentious socks. – March 21, 2024