Amanah Youth communications director Asim Abdullah Ainullotfi has urged the government to strengthen laws related to the protection of religious sensitivities, including in the field of business.
Stricter legal measures will send a clear signal to companies that violations of religious sensitivity will be taken seriously, encouraging them to take proactive steps in preventing similar incidents in the future, he said in a statement today.
“Amanah Youth takes seriously the issue of the sale of socks with the word Allah written on them at three KK Mart branches.
“We would like to emphasise to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to be more sensitive to religious issues, especially related to the word Allah.
“This is important in maintaining religious harmony in Malaysia and we call on KK Mart and any other company to take a more prudent approach in managing products,” he said.
‘Companies should be more careful’
He added that Amanah Youth is aware that KK Mart has apologised for this issue.
“However, we are of the view that this issue should not be taken lightly.
“We would like to remind that in the era of rapid globalisation and social media, every action of a company will be highlighted and can have a big impact on its reputation.
“Therefore, it is important for companies to be more careful and respect local religious values, and take appropriate measures to avoid possible conflicts with their customers,” said Asim.
Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii and MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon both earlier called for a de-escalation of the situation and the cessation of calls for a boycott after Umno Youth leader Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh raised the prospect
Selangor executive councillor Ng Sze Han also highlighted that the KK SuperMart chain with over 800 outlets and 5,000 employees plays a significant role in the economy and is a source of livelihood for many families.
“The supermarket primarily sells daily necessities and offers a wide range of products. Among its numerous outlets, only 14 pairs of the offending socks were found, indicating an oversight,” he explained.
‘Humiliating and bullying tactics’
Meanwhile, former Umno minister Zaid Ibrahim also took to social media platform X questioning Akmal’s stance.
“I don’t know how they pick Umno Youth leaders nowadays.
“It appears to me that the leader has to be able to harass and make unreasonable demands to show that Umno is a party of struggle,” he said.
Zaid called on Umno Youth to think the matter through, saying that making threats smacked of “bullying and humiliating” tactics.
“Look at the demands of Umno Youth to KK Mart to strengthen their apology. How does one make a stronger apology?
“The owner of KK Mart has explained the incident over the stocking issue. His explanation appears reasonable to me.
“What gains or motives would a supermarket chain have to use the word Allah deliberately on a small part of its stock? It makes no sense that the store wants to humiliate Muslims.
“Probably, it was done by a mischievous supplier without KK Mart knowing,” he added.
Teach KK Mart ‘a lesson’
Last Wednesday, convenience store chain KK Super Mart & Superstore Sdn Bhd (KK Mart) apologised over the sale of Miranosock branded socks which bore the word Allah.
A video of the socks went viral.
The company said they immediately terminated the sale of the product and requested an explanation from the supplier.
Following this, Akmal said Umno Youth members nationwide would start lodging police reports.
He also called for Malaysians to boycott KK Mart as a response to the “rude” incident and to teach the company a lesson.
“We urge everyone regardless of their race, religion, or political inclination to take clear action and show KK Mart and its vendors that we cannot tolerate such an act.
“So, today we will start to lodge police reports nationwide. I have asked Umno Youth in every state to do this. - Mkini
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