Another grocery store has become the subject of boycott calls, despite having nothing to do with the KK Mart convenience store chain, which was embroiled in the Allah socks controversy.
This is due to L&M Super Mart in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, using a signboard and colours that look similar to KK Mart.
“I will propose our existing signboard to be changed to prevent public confusion, and possible boycott which would affect our business,” said the store’s manager, who only wanted to be known as Robin.
This comes following claims on social media that KK Mart was trying to fool the public amid the socks controversy by rebranding its business to L&M.
Checks by Malaysiakini at the store found its signboard closely resembling that of KK Mart’s - from the orange and green colour stripes, right down to the word super mart.
What differentiates the two, other than the brand name in the middle (L&M vs KK) is the word “kedai runcit” (grocery shop) in the former, while the latter goes with mini market, supermarket, or convenience store.
Despite the similarities, Robin insisted that his outlet has nothing to do with KK Mart.
When asked why the similarities then, he played coy, saying “How are they the same? Ours (L&M wording) is yellow.”
He added that amid the confusion, it is still business as usual at the outlet owned by L&M Dynamic Enterprise.
“We have not received any threats. Business is okay.”
Misplaced boycott calls
Previously, several other shops have become subjects of misplaced boycott calls amid the socks row.
This includes KK Fresh Mart in Jitra, Kedah, which is named after its location in Kuala Kedah, which is the largest fish landing site in the state.
The controversy surfaced two weeks ago when images of the socks bearing the word “Allah” being sold at KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet went viral on social media.
Following the uproar, KK Mart apologised to all its customers, particularly the Muslim community, and confirmed that immediate action had been taken to halt the sale of the socks.
This included terminating its contract with its local supplier Xin Jian Chang.
The supplier, in turn, blamed manufacturers in China for wrongly sending the socks to it, which it then overlooked.
On the other hand, mass police reports were lodged following initial police inaction.
One of those spearheading the police report campaign was Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
The case had gone to court on Tuesday when authorities pressed criminal charges against the two companies and five directors. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.