KUALA LUMPUR – KK Group of Companies founder and group executive chairman Datuk Seri K.K. Chai and seven others have been called up for police questioning over the “Allah”-printed socks issue.
Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department (CID) said they had their statements taken today at 12.30pm.
The CID added that a total of 80 reports have been lodged with the police over the socks as of noon today.
“The investigation will be carried out before the findings are finalised. Preliminary investigations so far reveal that the vendor involved is operating in Batu Pahat, Johor,” the department said in a statement.
Yesterday, police seized five pairs of socks bearing the word “Allah” during an inspection at a factory in Batu Pahat.
Batu Pahat district police chief Ismail Dollah said inspections revealed that the factory had imported 16 bundles containing 18,800 socks, but only five pairs were found with the word “Allah” printed on them, adding that 40 personnel from the Johor contingent police headquarters and Batu Pahat district police headquarters conducted a thorough inspection at the factory.
“The investigation of the case is being conducted under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, as well as Section 505(b) of the Penal Code,” he told reporters after the inspection.
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.
She said the company acknowledged its negligence, saying that the incident occurred for the first time after more than 10 years of importing socks for the local market.
The company, which is based in Batu Pahat, said in a statement that it would take legal action against the supplier for its carelessness, adding that Xin Jian Chang had never intentionally ordered socks containing words that could touch on the sensitivities of the people in this country.
Chai had profusely apologised last Saturday after KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway branch was found to be selling the offending socks. – March 20, 2024