KUALA LUMPUR – Instead of banners, KK Super Mart opted to convey its apology statement through a digital display at all its outlets after the recent furore over the sale of socks featuring the word “Allah.”
Sighted by Scoop at some KK Mart outlets in Kuala Lumpur, the statement by the store – in all caps – has been displayed on monitors since yesterday to express the convenience store chain’s regret to all Muslims over the incident.
“Referring to this (socks) issue, the KK Super Mart company apologises to the Muslim community for discovering the socks from the Miranosock brand with the word Allah printed at KK Super Mart Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya,” read the statement.
The chain said its management had taken strict action by terminating the account of the supplier company, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, effective immediately, and will be taking legal action.
KK Mart announced that all products manufactured by the supplier were no longer available in the chain’s 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 read.
However, some netizens have refused to accept the apology from the store’s founder Datuk Seri K.K. Chai for the incident, despite clarification that an inspection of the chain’s 800 outlets nationwide found only 14 pairs of the offending socks in three stores.
Meanwhile, an X user named @designlabmy said he would continue boycotting the KK Group of companies – despite the founder’s apology.
“Although the founder has apologised, I will continue to boycott to bring awareness to them (the company).
“Here I would like to call on my friends, especially those who are Muslim, to boycott the KK Group network together,” the user said.
Another user named @thefiqrishuib7 said; “Just like how I boycotted Starbucks and McD, boycotting KK Mart is not a problem for me,” referring to a series of boycotts against companies who have recently been alleged to have hurt the sentiments of Muslims.
At the same time, another user known as @Kenken0606 said it was “just carelessness and mistakes by importer staff” and “forgiveness is the attribute of the strong”.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police would be calling up the management of KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd and a few individuals following the controversy.
Meanwhile, Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said two investigation papers had been opened to probe into the sale of socks with the word “Allah” at a KK Super Mart outlet in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.
He added that the case was being investigated by the classified crime investigation unit under the prosecution/law division. – March 18, 2024