Religious socks issue: KK Mart founder, wife, submit representation to AGC

Founder and executive chairman of KK Mart Group, Chai Kee Kan, and his wife Loh Siew Mui, who is also a company director, are reportedly submitting a representation letter to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) regarding the controversial "Allah" socks issue.

Lawyer Rajpal Singh, who represented the couple, reportedly informed the court that he would file the representation after studying the documents obtained from the prosecution, according to Bernama.

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On 26 March, Chai and Loh reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charge of intentionally wounding the religious feelings of others over the sale of socks bearing the word "Allah". 

The couple were charged with committing the offence on 13 March, under Section 298 of the Penal Code. 

Deputy public prosecutor Khairul Azreem Mamat reportedly requested that the couple be tried together in addition to the directors of the distribution company Xin Jian Chang. 

The directors of Xin Jian Chang - Soh Chin Huat, his wife, Goh Li Huay, and their daughter Hui San - were reportedly present at the proceedings too. 

Soh, Goh and Hui San were also reportedly charged with conspiring to intentionally wound the religious sensitivities of Muslims. The family were charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code. 

The court reportedly set 10 June for case management to find out the status of the representation. 

Outside of the court, Singh reportedly told media that the defense would submit the representation soon but has not decided whether it would be to withdraw the charge, or if there would be an alternative charge. 

In March, KK Mart drew ire after it put socks featuring the word “Allah” printed on them for sale in its outlet in Bandar Sunway. Images of the socks went viral online and quickly began drawing criticism from users.

In response to the incident, KK Super Mart issued a statement on Facebook apologising for selling the offensive socks.

Following which, government and royal officials including the King, the Regent of Johor Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Malaysia's religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar and UMNO youth chief Akmal Saleh made comments requesting the government to take action, and consumers to boycott the store, amongst many others.

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