Cops want KK Super Mart, vendor prosecuted over socks issue

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have recommended that KK Super Mart and a vendor be prosecuted over the sale of socks with the word Allah printed on them.

Investigations into the issue have been completed and the investigation paper (IP) had been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), said Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

“We have recommended that both KK Super Mart and the socks’ vendor be prosecuted and are now waiting for instructions from the AGC,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Comm Mohd Shuhaily said police opened four IPs after 143 police reports were lodged nationwide.

“Three of the IPs have been completed with the perpetrators prosecuted. Only the IP involving KK Super Mart and the socks’ vendor is still pending,” he said, adding that a total of 174 statements have been recorded, mostly from KK Super Mart personnel and management.

“KK Super Mart ordered 18,000 pairs of socks and 14 pairs had the word Allah printed on them. The socks were ordered last month and distributed in early March.

“On March 13, some of the offending socks were detected,” he said, urging anyone who had bought such socks to come forward and hand them over to police.

“Hand them over to us so we can identify any other outlets or shops selling such socks. Do not spread it on social media.”

It was previously reported that officers from the CID’s Special Investigation Unit (USJT) and Legal Division (D5) were investigating the case.

The case is classified under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing “disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion”.

Police are also investigating under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 for misusing network facilities.

An apology note pertaining to the controversial socks issue has been put up at KK Super Mart outlets nationwide.

The note is displayed on large electronic signboards or on the screens of the cash register machines in the shops.