27 March 2024
The founder of a prominent Malaysian convenience store chain, KK Super Mart (Chai Kee Kan), and his wife (Loh Siew Mui) have been accused of “wounding the religious feelings of others” through the sale of socks emblazoned with the word “Allah.” The trial of Chai Kee Kan and Loh Siew Mui is expected to attract significant attention. If found guilty, the couple could face imprisonment for up to a year, underscoring the gravity of the charges they are facing.
The controversy erupted two weeks ago when photos of the socks, which bore the word “Allah” began circulating online. This led to calls for a boycott of KK Super Mart, prompting the store to issue an apology and remove the socks from its shelves. However, the fallout continued as criticism mounted, with Malaysia’s king and political figures expressing their disapproval.
Last week, Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, issued a rare rebuke, condemning the actions of KK Super Mart and calling for “stern action” against those responsible. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also weighed in, urging for decisive measures to be taken while cautioning against prolonging discussions on the matter.
KK Super Mart, a widely successful chain with hundreds of stores across Malaysia, has taken legal action against its supplier, Xin Jian Chang, alleging financial losses and damage to its reputation. The company claims to have suffered setbacks, including the cancellation of plans to list on the Malaysian stock market, as a result of the controversy.
