Court rules KK Mart owner, wife did not intentionally wound religious feelings of Muslims

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Court rules KK Mart owner, wife did not intentionally wound religious feelings of Muslims

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15, 2024: The Sessions Court today discharged and acquitted KK Mart Group founder and executive chairman Chai Kee Kan and his wife, company director Loh Siew Mui on charges of intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims with socks bearing the word "Allah".

So, now, will Muslims continue with their boycott engineered by the racial religious bigot, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh?

Lawyer and social activist Siti Kasim said: "I recently saw a TikTok video where he (Akmal) was seen calling the Malays to be ready. He was seen sharpening a parang ... this is something the police must act on.

"It is like he is instigating the Malays to create problems. Islam never teaches us all this," said Siti.

 A senator has asked why Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has yet to be investigated for sedition after posting a picture of himself holding a sword on Facebook. Akmal had posted the picture, taken during a recent trip to Japan, on March 14. The picture was captioned: “No matter what, we will not waver from our stance. Better to die standing than live kneeling.”

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the court proceedings:

Socks controversy: KK Mart founder, wife acquitted; company, supplier fined RM60,000

By Dawn Chan - July 15, 2024 @ 1:36pm

SHAH ALAM 15 JULAI 2024. Pengasas dan Pengerusi Eksekutif Kumpulan KK Mart, Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan (tengah) ketika hadir bagi keputusan representasi di Kompleks Mahkamah Shah Alam. STR / FAIZ ANUAR

SHAH ALAM: The Sessions Court has given KK Mart Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan and his wife, company director Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui, a discharge and acquittal for charges related to intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims with socks bearing the word "Allah".

Three directors of socks supplier Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd — Soh Chin Huat, his wife Goh Li Huay and their daughter Soh Hui San — were also given a discharge and acquittal.

Judge Muhamad Anas Mahadzir made the decision after deputy public prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud said the prosecution did not want to continue with the case and wanted to withdraw the charges.

Masri applied for a discharge not amounting to acquittal for all five accused.

KK Supermart and Superstore Sdn Bhd was fined RM60,000 for the offence after general manager Tee Kok Hiem pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 298 of the Penal Code.

Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd was also fined RM60,000 for conspiring to commit the offence under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 298.

Before delivering the sentence, judge Anas said the case had attracted public interest as it involved religion and he needed to come to a fair balance as it was not an offence that can be easily let go.

He said KK Supermart and Superstore Sdn Bhd should be more responsible by enforcing stricter quality control to prevent such incidents.

He told Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd not to be negligent and to have tighter quality control for its supplies.

"What you supply will eventually be marketed to the masses. The role of a supplier is important, so is quality control.

"What more when our country is multi-religious and diverse. We need to observe the sensitivities."

Anas ordered the companies to settle the fine in three days.

Earlier during mitigation, lawyer Datuk Rajpal Singh, who represented KK Supermarket and Superstore Sdn Bhd, said the company had pleaded guilty and took responsibility for the offence, which he described as trivial.

"It apologises to the Muslim community and it regrets what happened.

"Several of its outlets in Perak, Kuantan and Sarawak were attacked with petrol bombs after the incident.

"The company suffered huge losses because some parties asked people to boycott its outlets.

"The company was supposed to go for public listing, but could not do it because of the incident. It caused financial losses worth millions of ringgit.

"I ask for a fine that is not excessive as the company been punished with huge financial losses."

Lawyer Fahri Azzat, who appeared for Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, said the company could not operate since April after the Batu Pahat Municipal Council cancelled its operating licence and served it a closure notice.

"KK Mart has cancelled their agreement and sued the company in a civil suit involving more than RM30 million. Items worth RM2 million have also been returned.

"The company has not only earned the wrath of the people, it has also suffered financial losses.

"The company and its directors have been under tremendous pressure and have been affected emotionally and psychologically."

Masri said he disagreed with Rajpal's remark that the offence was trivial because it involved a one-year jail term and fine and asked for an appropriate sentence.

On March 26, KK Supermart and Superstore Sdn Bhd, its founder and its director claimed trial to intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by displaying the socks bearing the word "Allah" at a Bandar Sunway KK Mart outlet.