KK Mart, vendor charged with hurting religious feelings

PETALING JAYA: The directors of convenience store chain KK Super Mart and vendor Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd have been charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court over the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” on Tuesday (March 26).

KK Super Mart & Superstore Sdn Bhd and its directors were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code with the intent of hurting the religious sensitivities of Muslims, while Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd and its directors were charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetment as the supplier of the socks.

KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan has been charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code in his capacity as the retail chain store’s director.

Defence counsel Datuk Rajpal Singh told the court that since the charge constituted a jail term not exceeding one year and a fine, he asked for a bail amount of RM5,000 for the first offence.

However, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Masri Daud offered bail of RM15,000.

Sessions Court judge Muhamad Anas Mahadzir set bail at RM10,000 and fixed mention of case on April 29.

Chai’s wife Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui was also charged in her capacity as the retail outlets’ director.

In his mitigation, Rajpal said even though she was a director of the company, she was a housewife.

Masri offered bail at RM10,000 as well.

Muhamad Anas agreed to the amount with one surety with no additional conditions.

Meanwhile, vendor of the socks Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd director Soh Chin Huat was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code, which was punishable under Section 298 of the same Code.

His counsel Low Yee Leong asked for a RM5,000 bail and Muhamad Anas fixed bail at RM10,000 with one surety.

Also charged under the same Section was Soh’s wife Koh Lee Hui.

The judge also set bail at RM10,000.

Case mention for the initial four charges were set on April 29.

On March 17, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh demanded banners at all 881 KK Super Mart outlets apologising for the issue.

KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai and its management team made a public apology to all Malaysians, especially those of the Muslim faith, saying that it had no intention to disrupt public harmony.

More to come