PETALING JAYA: The Islamic development department (Jakim) has reminded businesses to be more aware of “sensitive issues” after the controversy over the design of a shoe logo that appeared to resemble the Arabic script for the word “Allah”.
Shoe company Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd yesterday apologised for the design of the logo which was printed on a line of its high-heeled shoes.
The company agreed the design could be misinterpreted and said it had no intention of designing a logo aimed at belittling or insulting any religion or belief.
Earlier today, the company’s founder, Ng Chuan Hoo, held an hour-long meeting with Jakim officers at the department’s headquarters in Putrajaya to provide further clarification on the matter.
“This issue clearly involves the sensitivities of Muslims and may threaten unity in our multicultural and multireligious society,” said Jakim director-general Hakimah Yusoff in a statement issued after the meeting.
“Jakim sternly reminds Vern’s and all entrepreneurs, manufacturers, suppliers and importers to always be vigilant and pay serious attention to sensitive issues involving race and religion to maintain peace and harmony.
“Jakim does not want such incidents to occur again, whether by Vern’s or any other merchandise producers.”
Hakimah said Jakim supports the police investigation into the matter and said that appropriate legal action must be taken if it is found that there is “evidence of deliberate intent” behind the logo’s design.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said authorities have seized 1,145 pairs of shoes from Vern’s outlets that bore the logo.
He said the shoes were seized from shops in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang and Kedah.
In a Facebook post that went viral yesterday, a man said he bought the shoes from the company’s outlet in Kuantan. He shared a video showing the shoe and its sole after taking it out of the packaging.
He lodged a police report in Kuantan yesterday which stated that the case would be investigated under the Penal Code for intentionally wounding the religious feelings of others, and under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misuse of network facilities to cause offence.
The shoes issue follows a controversy over socks bearing the word “Allah” found at a convenience store of the KK Mart chain.
The company made a formal apology. However, its founder and a company director have since been charged, accused of “intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims”.
In a separate statement, religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said he has handed the matter to the police to investigate and has instructed Jakim to provide its full cooperation.
He also said the ministry would meet state Islamic religious departments and relevant authorities such as the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to better coordinate action to address such issues in the future. - FMT
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