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KK Mart branch on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia
Photo: Vincent Thian / AP
Five businessmen have to go to court in Malaysia because socks with the inscription “Allah” were sold on the shelves of a supermarket chain. The 57-year-old managing director of the KK Mart Group and his wife were charged with “intentionally hurting religious feelings,” the responsible court announced.
Three employees of the import company have to answer in court for aiding and abetting. KK Mart had accused its suppliers of supplying products that the company had not agreed to.
All defendants pleaded not guilty, according to court records. If convicted, they face a prison sentence of up to one year, a fine, or both.
King demands investigation and punishment
Photos of the socks on online networks sparked widespread outrage in Malaysia. Many Muslims also criticized the fact that the socks were sold during the fasting month of Ramadan. Religious Affairs Minister Mohamad Na'im Mokhtar told Bernama news agency that it was an insult to place the Creator at the feet of the people. Even the Malaysian King Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar got involved: He called for an investigation and “strict” punishment for all those responsible.
KK Super Mart has since apologized. The company said it was taking the matter "seriously" and had taken action to immediately stop sales of the socks. The wholesaler Xin Jian Chang also apologized and explained that the "problematic socks" were "part of a larger shipment" of 18,800 pairs of socks that had been ordered from a company in China. “Only five pairs of socks” bore the controversial label.
Islam is the state religion in Malaysia. Around two thirds of the 34 million inhabitants of the Southeast Asian country are Muslims.
bbr/AFP/AP