'Oversight no excuse': Agong wants action over Allah socks issue

Oversight is no excuse for a convenience store chain to sell socks bearing the word Allah, said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

According to the ruler, the issue must be dealt with strictly by the authorities, whether or not it was deliberately done, or the products were manufactured locally or abroad.

"It does not make sense for a company, which employs locals, to not be sensitive to such matters.

"We have lived in a multiracial country all this while. Mistakes pertaining to race and religion, such as this, are unacceptable and should not be allowed to happen again," Sultan Ibrahim said in a statement issued by the Royal Press Office.

Last week, images of the Miranosock socks bearing the word Allah sold at convenience store chain KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet went viral on social media.

Following the brouhaha, KK Mart apologised for the oversight to its customers and the Muslim community, in particular. They have also stopped selling the product.

The sock's supplier, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd had also apologised, and said the products were part of a bulk of stocks purchased by mistake from its China-based supplier.

Following the uproar, Xin Jian Chang said it is mulling legal action for possible negligence against the supplier, and vowed to implement stricter quality control measures in the future.

Revered word

Elaborating, Sultan Ibrahim rued the issue had happened despite his reminder during the inaugural parliamentary address last month, for all to strengthen national unity and not to incite emotions by harping on 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues.

"The word Allah is revered by Muslims. In addition, we are observing Ramadan, so there should not be incidents that arouse anger.

"Whether or not the issue is deliberately done, or whether (the socks) were imported or locally manufactured, I want the authorities to take the strictest action possible under existing laws, so that the incident does not recur," His Majesty added.

Earlier today, Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim also urged the authorities to take strict action over the socks issue and hoped it would not jeopardise national harmony. - Mkini