KK Mart founder apologises to King over religious sock issue

Malaysia’s King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, granted an audience to Chai Kee Kan, the owner of KK Mart this week. Chai was recently involved in a controversy for the sale of socks bearing the word 'Allah'. 

During the 15-minute meeting at Istana Negara, Chai apologised to the King for the controversy caused by the sale of the socks. 

In a social media post by the King, Chai also asked for forgiveness from the King, as well as from Muslims who were offended by the socks.

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The King decreed that all parties, including KK Mart, must be more careful with the products they sell, especially imported goods, to avoid any recurrences of the issue.

The King also warned parties against taking advantage of the incident, including inciting the people, adding that he does not want the issue to be prolonged any further.

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.

On 26 March, it was reported that the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) will be charging the top management of KK Supermart and Superstore for the sale of socks bearing the word 'Allah'. In a statement, the AGC said the company's director will face charges under Section 298 of the penal code for "deliberately intending to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims".

In tandem, the suppliers of the socks Xin Jian Chang will also be charged under Section 109 of the penal code for supplying the socks printed with the word 'Allah' to KK Supermart and Superstore.

Meanwhile, KK Supermart has also reportedly sued socks supplier Xin Jian Chang and its director Soh Chin Huat.

KK Supermart is reportedly seeking RM10.5 million for damage caused to its brand name and goodwill in the market, and RM20.3 million caused by the aborted proposed listing on the stock exchange of its business. 

It is also reportedly seeking for aggravated damages to be assessed by the court, and punitive and exemplary damages. 

Thus far, KK Mart has fallen victim to three Molotov cocktail attacks. The first was at the convenience store's Bidor, Perak branch on the 27 March while the second was at a Sungai Isap, Kuantan, Padang branch on 30 March. The third attack occured on 31 March at the store's Kuching outlet. 

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