‘Allah’ socks furore: Malaysian king calls for stern action, says religious blunders ‘unacceptable’
Socks bearing the word “Allah” were found to be sold in several outlets of local convenience store chain KK Super Mart, prompting a response from Malaysian king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
A composite photo of Malaysian king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and the exterior of a KK Super Mart convenience store. (Photo: Facebook/Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, KK Super Mart)
SINGAPORE: Amid the furore over the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” at a convenience store chain in the country, Malaysian king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has called for stern action to be taken against those responsible for the blunder.
He further stressed that such gaffes relating to religious and racial issues are unacceptable and should never be allowed to happen again.
“Whether this incident was intentional or otherwise, (and) whether the socks were imported or produced in local factories, I want the authorities to investigate and take stern action in accordance with the law so that such matters do not repeat itself,” Sultan Ibrahim said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Mar 19).
He added: “The word ‘Allah’ is revered by all Muslims. Furthermore, we are currently in the month of Ramadan. As such, there should not have been incidents that happen that could provoke anger.”
Earlier last week, the controversial socks were found to be sold in several outlets of local convenience store chain KK Super Mart.
Photographs of the offending item then went viral online, triggering backlash from netizens as well as prominent public figures and politicians. There were also calls for a KK Super Mart boycott.
KK Super Mart then apologised for the sale of the socks in a Facebook post on Mar 13, and its founder KK Chai followed up with a press conference on Mar 16.
“I humbly apologise to all Malaysians, especially those from the Muslim faith,” said Dr Chai, explaining then that the product management of the socks was done by a vendor via a space rental system and without the supervision of his employees.
Mr Soh Chin Huat, the owner of the vendor company Xin Jian Chang, who was also present at the press conference, said that the socks were imported from China and were among sacks that contained 1,200 pairs of different designs.
Inspections done by KK Super Mart at its 800 branches across the country found only three stores stocking the socks, with 14 pairs with the word “Allah” on them.
On Mar 19, Sultan Ibrahim said that it did not make sense for a firm with Malaysian employees to not be aware of religious sensitivities.
“We have lived in a pluralistic country for a long time. Blunders in relation to religious and race issues such as these are unacceptable and should not be allowed to happen again,” he said.
The king’s son, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, also weighed in on the issue.
“The name of ‘Allah’ is an important holy word for Muslims.
“I urge the authorities to take firm action and ensure an incident like this does not happen again. This issue cannot be taken lightly,” he said in a Facebook post, adding that he hopes that the blunder does not jeopardise the country’s national harmony.
Bernama reported that the Johor regent has since commended the Johor State Islamic Religious Council as well as the Royal Malaysian Police for their swift action in relation to the socks blunder.
Johor police chief CP M Kumar said that the authorities have seized five pairs of socks with the word “Allah” on them in a raid at a factory in Batu Pahat.
Separately, The Star reported that KK Super Mart has since put up an apology note regarding the socks issue at its outlets across the country.
The message – displayed on a large electronic signboard or on the screens of cash register machines – also laid out the convenience store chain’s next course of action.
“The company has taken immediate and decisive action by terminating the supplier and is taking legal action against them. All products from this company are no longer available at KK Super Mart stores throughout Malaysia.
“Harmony in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic community is our objective. We regret the issue that occurred and sincerely apologise,” read the note, which was written in the country’s national language, Malay.
