KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh will call for another boycott unless a clarification is offered, this time over shoes by fashion brand Vern’s with soles allegedly bearing script of the word “Allah”.
The local brand has 24 hours to clarify failing which he would call for a boycott of Vern’s shoes, he said on Facebook.
Akmal said the design on the shoe’s sole might have been of something else – “but nevertheless, we demand an immediate explanation from Vern’s on this issue”, he added.
“We are not being arrogant, we should be ‘husnuzon’ which is to assume the best about people.
“If there is no explanation from you (Vern’s) in 24 hours, then don’t blame us if we boycott your product afterwards,” he said.
Akmal was commenting on a Facebook post by a user named Mohd Haridz who shared a video of shoes his wife bought on March 30 from a Vern’s outlet in Kuantan Parade in Pahang.
Mohd Haridz, whose Facebook profile describes him as an employee of the Pahang Islamic Affairs Department, claimed in the video it was “clear” to him that the script on the shoe’s sole is the word “Allah”.
His post, captioned with “Rude! What is the motive of this Vern’s brand?” has garnered over a million views as of press time.
On X, however, users are refuting his claims that the script reads as “Allah”.
User Azrul Mohd Khalid, who is also chief executive officer of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, said: “Get a grip lah. That is the brand’s signature logo…the brand is ChyJoey.…it has nothing to with religion”.
Akmal has been calling for a boycott of KK Mart since last month after it was discovered that one of its stores sold socks bearing the word “Allah”.
He has refused to back down even after police began investigations against him under the Sedition Act.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said investigation papers will be completed soon and sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers next week for further action. – April 7, 2024