KUALA LUMPUR – Police will recommend that the public prosecutor charge both convenience store chain KK Mart and its local supplier Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd for the sale of socks printed with the word “Allah”.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain was reported today as saying that police have submitted investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and are awaiting further instructions.
“Both. KK Mart and its supplier,” Shuhaily said briefly, during a press conference this morning.
Xin Jian Chang is based in Sri Gading, Johor, which police raided three days ago.
Shuhaily was reported as saying today that police found 14 pairs of the offending socks at the supplier’s premises, which had been recalled and returned to the supplier by KK Mart. It was earlier reported after the raid that police found five pairs.
Shuhaily today said police had recorded statements from 174 people.
He also said 143 police reports had been lodged nationwide against the sale of the socks after a photo of a pair first emerged on social media last week.
As part of investigations, police had checked KK Mart’s procurement process, he added.
He also said that there is no indication that such socks are still available on the market.
“Anyone who mistakenly bought them, please surrender them to the police and tell us where you bought them,” he added.
“Do not take photos and make it viral.”
Shuhaily urged religious leaders to help keep tempers calm in their respective communities, as police were already handling the matter.
Following outrage on social media, KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Seri K.K. Chai apologised profusely at a press conference on Saturday, explaining that the socks were imported from China and were among 1,200 other pairs, each with different designs.
He admitted he did not do a full inspection of every pair but stressed that of KK Mart’s 800 branches nationwide, only three outlets carried the socks.
The pair that surfaced on social media was found at its outlet in Bandar Sunway, Selangor.
Meanwhile, supplier Xin Jian Chang apologised for an oversight in its quality control process, saying it had done its best to ensure that all 18,800 socks received from its vendor in China were cleared for sale here.
There are currently calls for Muslim consumers to boycott KK Mart stores, with videos emerging on social media showing individuals staging protests and confronting store staff in some locations. – March 22, 2024