THE issue of images of Miranosock socks bearing the word “Allah” being sold at convenience store chain KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet not only went viral on social media, but it appears that it has suddenly become a national issue, thanks to a public reaction by the Umno Youth chief.
To rub salt in the wound, the media also reports that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Johor regent have also jumped on the bandwagon by urging the authorities to take strict action over the sale of the socks.
Being constitutionally tasked with protecting and safeguarding the sanctity of the religion of Islam, the reaction by the Agong on this hot-button issue would be, in my view, perfectly understandable.
In any case, police have confirmed that investigation papers have been opened over the matter, and the investigation would be carried out under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, or enmity on religious grounds, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper network facility use or service.
It is hoped the police will conduct the investigation professionally – without fear or favour.
In penning this note, I have no intention of muddling into a police investigation. After all, the investigation is still ongoing. On the other hand, this article is only dedicated to the Muslim fraternity.
Umno Youth has been pushing hard against KK Mart, urging Muslims to boycott if the chain fails to post banners apologising for the incident. Apparently, Umno Youth seeks to dictate the act of apology in accordance with its own terms.
The fact that KK Mart has apologised to all its customers and the Muslim community in particular and assured that immediate steps had been taken to stop the sale of the socks following the brouhaha is still deemed inadequate by Umno Youth.
In fact, the supplier of the offending socks, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, has also tendered an apology, despite the fact that there has been no such demand by Umno Youth as far as I know.
The supplier also expressed its utmost regret for such an unfortunate incident and, in turn, made the following statements… “This has opened my eyes to the need to be more careful when bringing in products from overseas… we will learn from our mistakes.”
While acknowledging that this issue might be construed to be highly sensitive to Muslims and that the author has no slightest intention of trivialising this issue, Muslims should not, however, simply be oblivious to the factual matrix of the case.
The facts of the case do not demonstrate, at least in my view, a case of a premeditated act of deliberate provocation against Islam. Using the lingua franca of criminal law, it seems to me there has been an absence of mala fide.
On the contrary, I view the whole incident as a case of genuine and bona fide mistakes on the part of the supplier and KK Mart, resulting in such an unfortunate fiasco.
Ergo, I tend to believe that the convenience store had inadvertently overlooked the socks sent to them by a supplier.
Of course, it should have been extremely cautious in scrutinising any imported materials from abroad. Nevertheless, it is difficult to accept the accusation that it deliberately tried to provoke the Muslims.
The same goes for the supplier. In my view, there was an honest clarification on the part of the supplier when it duly explained that a particular batch of 1,200 socks of various designs and colours that arrived in its facility in Batu Pahat, Johor, was procured in a bundle from China and its employees in turn sent the socks to various KK Mart premises on January 29 without fully and effectively scrutinising the items.
I strongly believe that based on the factual matrix of the case, there is a strong case of honest and bona fide mistakes on the part of the supplier and KK Mart, hence, this should be a perfect case for Muslims to forgive the alleged perpetrators, especially in this blessed month of Ramadan.
No doubt, practicing forgiveness can be extremely hard. As a Muslim, who shall be our true exemplar? No doubt the true exemplar par excellence shall be our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
It is interesting to note here that the great Imam Al-Bukhari narrated in his highly valuable compilation titled “Al-Adab Al-Mufrad” under the chapter heading “Forgiveness of Other People” – a whole raft of the Prophet Muhammad’s superb embodiment of his forgiving personality traits.
Would a call for boycotts against KK Mart by Umno Youth be considered a prudent move?
With the greatest respect, I don’t think it would be a good idea. After all, the country is facing economic difficulty at the moment. Why should we further burden the plight of the people, including the Muslim workers in KK Mart?
In certain occasions and circumstances, forgiveness would be a noble gesture. – March 20, 2024
Mohamed Hanipa Maidin is a former deputy minister of law