26-3-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) The founder and a director of the KK Super Mart convenience store chain in Malaysia found themselves in legal jeopardy on March 26th, charged with offending religious sensibilities through the sale of socks bearing the Arabic word for God.
Chai Kee Kan, 57, who established the prominent 24-hour retailer, and his wife Loh Siew Mui, 53, a company director, entered not guilty pleas before Judge Muhammad Anas Mahadzir at the Shah Alam Sessions Court. They were accused of “wounding the religious feelings of others” under Section 298 of the Penal Code, an offence carrying potential jail time of up to one year, fines, or combined penalties upon conviction.
Alongside the KK Super Mart principals, supplier representatives Soh Chin Huat and Koh Lee Hui of vendor firm Xin Jian Chang faced related abetment charges that could also bring imprisonment or fines if found guilty.
The controversy erupted online in mid-March when the made-in-China socks emblazoned with the word “Allah” were discovered on shelves at multiple KK Super Mart outlets across the Muslim-majority nation. For adherents of Islam, the Arabic term represents the almighty God and is considered sacrosanct.
The uproar prompted calls for boycotts and drew criticism from Malaysia’s royalty, with the Sultan of Johor Ibrahim Iskandar demanding “stern action” over the sock sales on March 19th. KK Super Mart had already issued public apologies, with the parent company suing Xin Jian Chang for around $8.8 million in damages related to lost profits, brand harm and a derailed stock listing plan.
The vendor, meanwhile, indicated it may pursue its own negligence claim against the Chinese manufacturer that mistakenly included the controversial socks amid a larger shipment not originally ordered by the Malaysian firm.
With religion a sensitive issue in multicultural Malaysia, the case highlighted societal tensions over perceived insults to Islamic faith and values. The court proceedings also reflected a no-tolerance policy by authorities toward defiling revered symbols or terminology.
Bail was set at $2,800 for the four accused, as they prepared for trial on April 29th. For the KK Super Mart chain known for its ubiquitous presence across the nation, the legal imbroglio represented an unexpected and costly challenge to its corporate reputation hanging on the three simple letters that sparked outrage among the Muslim population.
