Incident serves as a good lesson to Malaysia’s diverse society.
With a major convenience store apologising profusely for its oversight in selling socks with the word “Allah” printed on it, individuals and groups have come out to call for understanding and closure to the issue.
As Umno Youth continued to make demands, political leaders urged for cool heads to prevail, saying the episode should serve as a lesson to all to be more careful in dealing with religious sensitivities.
Moderation advocate Tawfik Ismail said with the unequivocal apology by KK Super Mart chain, the matter should be allowed to rest.
“I think an incident like this is unintentional. The store was careless and overlooked the design and allowed sales, which is a human error,” he said.
Tawfik, a former Sungai Benut MP, said the people should uphold the virtue of forgiveness. “Case closed then,” said the son of the country’s former deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman.
Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa said since KK Super Mart had apologised to the public, all parties must move forward.
The former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) said the episode should serve as a caution to others, especially businesses, to have proper and stringent mechanisms in place to ensure there are no offensive elements.
Anas Zubedy, another moderation advocate, called for calm, adding that people should not blow things out of proportion.
“It was likely not done on purpose and was an honest mistake,” he said, adding that Muslims should always show forgiveness and mercy.
Former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said it was unreasonable for Umno Youth “to make more unreasonable demands over the issue”.
“Look at the demands of Umno Youth to KK Super Mart to strengthen their apology. How does one make a stronger apology?” he asked.
Zaid said the owner of KK Super Mart chain Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai had given his explanation over the controversy.
“His explanation appears reasonable to me. What gains or motives would a supermarket chain have to use the word Allah deliberately on a small part of its stock?” he asked.
He urged Umno Youth to think through the matter carefully. Saying that they would take drastic action unless KK Super Mart puts up banners apologising in all its 881 stores strike me as a bullying and humiliating tactic, not so much as to get an apology,” he added.
On Saturday night, Umno Youth demanded that banners be hung at all 881 of KK Super Mart’s outlets nationwide apologising over the controversial socks issue.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said they would resort to more “drastic” action if such an apology was not forthcoming within 48 hours.
“We will not brook any nonsense on this matter and will teach them a lesson on this unacceptable behaviour,” said Muhamad Akmal after lodging a police report against KK Super Mart with Jasin Umno division members.
He said the convenience store chain should be investigated over the issue and told Umno Youth members nationwide to lodge police reports over the incident.
In a statement on its Facebook page on Friday, the company apologised and said that it had stopped the sale of the socks.
“We regret the incident and take this seriously,” read the statement, which went on to explain that the socks were part of a consignment product from a vendor.
“We have contacted the vendor for further explanation. KK Super Mart also thanks the public for their comments on the matter.
“We apologise once again and will ensure this does not happen again,” it said.
The company also published an apology from the vendor, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd from Batu Pahat in Johor, which admitted its mistake.
“We deeply regret this incident and admit our mistake in not carefully inspecting the product procured from China. We will be more careful and sensitive in the future.
“We apologise to all Muslims and also KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd,” said the vendor, referring to the company that operates the 24-hour KK Super Mart chain.
The post has since received over a thousand comments and shares, with mixed reactions from users.
The convenience store chain also submitted a letter to the Home Ministry, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (religious affairs) and religious authorities to explain itself.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry said it is investigating KK Mart following the sale of socks bearing the word Allah, despite the convenience store chain already issuing an apology.
Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the police have inspected KK Mart premises nationwide and found that the socks were no longer available.
Police initially said it was not investigating the sale of the socks as no police reports were received over the matter at the time.
During the oral question session today, Shamsul said they are investigating because the issue has caused public alarm and concern.
He was responding to a question from Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) who wanted to know what actions the Home Ministry had taken to address the incident that has hurt the feelings of the Muslim community.
He said the parties involved could be fined up to RM20,000 or face imprisonment for not more than three years, or both.
“The police have also received 36 police reports regarding dissatisfaction with the sale of the socks at KK Mart in Bandar Sunway, Selangor,” he added.
Earlier, a DAP MP said there is no need for excessive threats over the KK Mart controversy involving the sale of socks with the word Allah, as it is not productive and will only serve to divide society further.
Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii warned that such an escalation would impact workers of all races and possibly hurt the economy.
“I understand this is an important issue and should not have happened in the first place.
“Even as a person of a different faith, I would understand how it feels if holy sacraments were symbolised in the same way as in this instance.
“That is why I understand the importance of finding a middle ground and a way forward that is best for all, addressing the misunderstanding and sensitivities of all parties,” Yii said in a statement last night.
He added that the misunderstanding started through miscommunication between the supplier of the product and the shop owner, as the owner wasn’t aware that the socks sent to his shops were designed that way.
Yii pointed out that KK Mart had taken immediate steps to rectify the issue, including publicly apologising and taking further steps to allay concerns and misunderstandings.
“Umno Youth when realising this matter, should have found a better way forward, including taking this as an opportunity to bridge the divide rather than dividing the people.
“We cannot be reactive to any issue, and as young leaders, we must look at bringing mature politics and policies that promote social integration rather than threats that divide us.
“There are many matters we need to focus upon as a country which we all will need to work together, prioritising the economy and welfare of our people regardless of background,” the DAP Youth chief said.
Yesterday, MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon urged Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh not to “blindly” make boycott calls against the store chain, suggesting that such a move would hurt the country.
“I also remind the Umno Youth chief to refrain from exaggerating the issue of KK Mart socks and not to play boycott tactics blindly, otherwise, the victims will still be our country,” Chong said.
MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said politicians should refrain from exploiting the latest controversy over the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” for political mileage and instead focus on issues concerning public interest.
Tan said Umno youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Salleh’s demands for apology banners at all 881 KK Super Mart outlets nationwide failed to solve the issue and also exacerbated racial tensions.
“Politicians attempting to exploit such incidents for their political purposes and to divert attention, risk complicating and confusing the issue, hindering its resolution.
“In handling such issues, politicians should refrain from exploiting it for personal or political gain but should focus on protecting public interests. Only then can the issue be properly resolved, and the government’s commitment to its responsibility to the public conveyed,” said Tan.
Selangor executive councillor Ng Sze Han said Malaysia’s economy requires the collective effort of all citizens to be tolerant of different ethnic, religious, and cultural practices.
He also highlighted that the KK SuperMart chain with over 800 outlets and 5,000 employees, plays a significant role in the economy and is a source of livelihood for many families.
“The supermarket primarily sells daily necessities and offers a wide range of products. Among its numerous outlets, only 14 pairs of the offending socks were found, indicating an oversight,” he explained.
He urged for calm in dealing with the incident and advised against hastily responding with boycotts that could escalate the situation, affecting employees’ livelihoods and the economy.
He hoped this incident would serve as a lesson for other businesses or merchants to be sensitive to the cultural practices of all ethnic groups, fostering mutual understanding and tolerance, and collectively advancing the nation’s economy.