KUALA LUMPUR – Those suspected to be involved in a string of molotov cocktail attacks on KK Mart outlets around the country are still at large despite ongoing police investigations.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told Scoop that no arrests have been made so far, and no new witnesses called.
“For the attack on KK Mart in Sungai Isap (Kuantan), four witnesses have been called to provide their statements. As for (KK Mart) in Bidor, seven individuals have had their statements recorded.
“The investigation continues.”
He said any new findings will be shared with the public.
On March 26, Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri confirmed that the KK Mart store in Jalan Bruseh, Bidor had been attacked with a molotov cocktail.
He said early investigations found the molotov cocktail was thrown at the shop by a man driving a car at about 5am.
The second case was on March 30, involving a Molotov cocktail attack at a KK Mart outlet in Sungai Isap, Kuantan that had only started operating for two weeks.
The incident saw four sales shelves and several items damaged.
Two days after the incident, the KK Mart outlet in Jalan Satok, Kuching, was attacked with a molotov cocktail at about 1am, causing some boxes containing beverages placed on the five-foot way in front of the store to catch fire.
KK Mart has been embroiled in controversy after inciting outrage in the Muslim community over its sale of “Allah”-printed socks, resulting in certain quarters, especially Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, calling for a boycott of the company.
KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan subsequently apologised profusely over the incident, while the company’s supplier, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, also expressed its regret for the oversight in its quality control process.
Chai and his wife, Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui, have since been charged in the Shah Alam sessions court for intentionally hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.
Three Xin Jian Chang directors were also charged with abetting Chai and Loh in the distribution of the socks.
The two companies are also engaged in a separate civil lawsuit brought by KK Mart, which claims more than RM30 million in damages and losses caused by Xin Jian Chang’s alleged sabotage. – April 13, 2024