KUALA LUMPUR – The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) has called for an immediate halt to all boycotts and irresponsible actions to prevent the KK Mart socks issue from escalating further as it has now entered the legal process.
Its president, Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan, also urged all parties behind the KK Mart boycott to heed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and prime minister’s call to stop taking advantage of the issue of the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah,” which had caused public unrest.
Low, who is also a businessman, said the public should remain rational and refrain from further inflaming the situation, as investigations were ongoing.
“Malaysia is a country governed by the rule of law. All parties need to respect judicial procedures and abide by the laws and regulations of the country.
“As the case has entered legal proceedings after the completion of the police investigation, we should stop creating further controversy about this incident,” he said in a statement today.
At the same time, Low called for an end to unprovoked boycotts against businesses, as it would have far-reaching implications for the economy and businesses.
“It not only hurts the company itself but may also lead to lay-offs, and ultimately innocent employees will be the victims.
“The boycott may also significantly tarnish the image of the country, deter foreign investment and undermine the government’s greater efforts to attract investment and expand our country’s economic growth,” he added.
The ACCCIM, Low said, severely condemned any irresponsible and reckless acts to avoid causing public panic and anxiety.
“The ACCCIM fully supports the concept of ‘Madani Malaysia’ advocated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar (Ibrahim), as it promotes the spirit of unity and sharing of common progress in a multiracial and multicultural society.
“Therefore, all parties need to remain rational and work together to protect social harmony and national unity in the spirit of maintaining mutual tolerance and respect,” he added.
A KK Mart outlet in Kuching yesterday became the third store to be targeted – following branches in Perak’s Bidor and Kuantan – in the span of a week, as a result of controversy over socks with the word “Allah” sold at an outlet in Bandar Sunway, Selangor.
On March 26, a KK Mart store in Bidor was hit by a Molotov cocktail, and on March 30, an outlet in Sg Isap, Kuantan, was similarly attacked in the wee hours of the morning, resulting in a small fire at the store’s entrance.
KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder and executive director Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan has profusely apologised over the socks issue, 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, were charged on March 26 in the Shah Alam sessions court with intentionally hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims. – April 2, 2024