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SHAH ALAM: The atmosphere at the Shah Alam Court Complex was a hive of activity as police personnel stood guard at the entrance of the premises on Tuesday (March 26). - The Star
KK Mart founder, director claim trial to wounding religious feelings
KUALA LUMPUR, March 26, 2024: KK Mart chief executive officer (CEO) and company director Loh Siew Mui claimed trial in the Sessions Court today to intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by selling Made-in-China socks bearing the word “Allah”.
They were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports on the court proceedings:
Five directors of KK Super Mart and its supplier, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, have been charged over the sale of socks bearing the word 'Allah' at the Shah Alam Sessions Court today, 26 March
According to Utusan Malaysia, KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan and director Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code.
The duo are husband and wife.
Section 298 of the Penal Code deals with intentionally hurting religious feelings. If found guilty, they may face a jail term of up to one year, a fine, or both.
Chai and Loh pleaded not guilty to the offence, reported the New Straits Times.
Image via Asyraf Hamzah/New Straits Times
Meanwhile, three directors of Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd were charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetting the offence
The provision stipulates that abettors will receive the same punishment prescribed by the principal offence if found guilty.
The directors are Soh Chin Huat, his wife Goh Li Huay, and their child Soh Hui San.
They also pleaded not guilty to the charge, reported Harian Metro.
Image via Utusan Malaysia
The charges against the KK Super Mart directors and their supplier come after the King decreed last Tuesday, 19 March, that stern action be taken against the parties involved
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim expressed his displeasure at the controversy, stressing, "Muslims revere the word 'Allah'... such matters that incite anger should not arise."
"Whether it was intentional or not, and whether [the socks] were imported or produced locally, I want the enforcement agencies to investigate this matter and take strict action to ensure such incidents are not repeated," said the King.
Following the King's decree, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said immediate action must be taken to prevent disrespect towards any religion, particularly Islam, reported the New Straits Times.
Meanwhile, KK Super Mart has also filed a lawsuit against Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd for allegedly sabotaging its business by supplying the controversial socks, reported Berita Harian.
KK Super Mart is demanding RM10.5 million for the damage caused to its brand and RM20.3 million for the damage caused by the aborted proposed listing on the stock exchange.
The company is also seeking RM1.5 million a week for the damage caused by the loss of profits. - SAYS
KK Mart founder, director claim trial to wounding religious feelings
-26 Mar 2024, 10:35 AM
They were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
KK Mart convenience stores are found in nearly 800 locations around the country.
SHAH ALAM: KK Mart CEO and founder Chai Kee Kan and the company’s director Loh Siew Mui have claimed trial to intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by selling socks bearing the word “Allah”.
The pair pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before judge Anas Mahadzir at the sessions court here. Loh is Chai’s wife.
They were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Multiple police reports were lodged against KK Mart after its Bandar Sunway branch was found to be selling the socks on March 13.
Chai made a tearful apology at a press conference on March 16, stating that the socks were imported from China.
The factory of the Batu Pahat-based vendor that supplied the socks, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, has been temporarily closed by the Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP).
Xin Jian Chang and its directors will also be charged with abetting under Section 109 of the Penal Code.
Back KK Mart, Sarawak govt told
-26 Mar 2024, 04:39 PM
Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan says as the convenience store was founded by Sarawakian KK Chai, the state government must ensure the controversy won’t ruin the brand.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan said the possibility of sabotage by business rivals or religious extremists against KK Mart should not be ruled out.
PETALING JAYA: A Sarawak-based party has called on the state government to back KK Mart, which is mired in controversy following the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah”.
In a statement, Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan said since the convenience store – which has 881 outlets nationwide – was founded by Sarawakian KK Chai, the state government must intervene to ensure the controversy would not ruin the brand.
The state government must see to it that KK Mart is supported by the Sarawak administration to help the brand expand in West Malaysia, he said.
“Sarawak lost her local banks in the past. The state should not further lose KK Mart, which is its ‘business ambassador’,” he said, alluding to the bank mergers in the late 1990s.
Voon went on to talk about the possibility of sabotage by business rivals or religious extremists against KK Mart to destroy a flourishing business from Sarawak. He said this should not be ruled out.
He also said the police should not allow politicians and activists to stir up hate against the convenience store chain as it could affect the economy and cause workers to lose their jobs.
Voon’s statement comes a day after former Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau called on Sabah and Sarawak to take action to avoid being dragged down by divisive issues prevalent in Peninsular Malaysia.
The two East Malaysian states should cultivate a clear branding as the “Other Malaysia” that was “reasonable, stable, inclusive and at ease with diversity” to help woo investors, both domestic and foreign, the MP said.
The controversy began when photographs were circulated on social media of socks bearing the word “Allah” that were found at the Bandar Sunway branch of the KK Mart convenience store chain, leading to calls for a boycott of the outlets.
The factory that supplied the socks has temporarily ceased operations, while KK Mart’s management has issued an apology over the socks. The company said the goods were supplied on consignment and were produced in China.
Earlier today, KK Mart’s founder and director claimed trial at the Shah Alam sessions court to intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by selling socks bearing the word “Allah”. Chai Kee Kan and Loh Siew Mui pleaded not guilty. Chai is the company’s CEO while Loh, his wife, is the company’s director.
Three officers from Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, the Batu Pahat-based vendor which supplied KK Mart the socks, were also charged in the same court.
Petrol bomb thrown at KK Mart in Perak
-26 Mar 2024, 02:47 PM
The petrol bomb, which landed in front of the store, did not explode.
An unidentified person reportedly threw a petrol bomb at a KK Mart outlet in Bidor, Perak, at around 5am today. (China Press pic)
PETALING JAYA: A petrol bomb was reportedly thrown at a KK Mart convenience store in Bidor, Perak, this morning.
The bomb, which landed in front of the store, did not explode, China Press reported.
It was reported that an unidentified person threw the petrol bomb at the KK Mart outlet at around 5am.
It is understood that staff members were working inside the store when the incident occurred.
They have since lodged a police report on the matter, according to China Press.
FMT has reached out to Perak police chief Yusri Hassan Basri for comment.
KK Mart has been under intense scrutiny after photographs of socks bearing the word “Allah”, sold at KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway store, appeared on social media, earning the ire of the Muslim community and sparking calls for a boycott by Umno Youth.
The company has apologised and expressed regret over the incident.
However, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said KK Mart should put up banners at all of its 881 stores nationwide to apologise for the sale of the socks, threatening a stronger boycott should it fail to comply.
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