King grants audience to KK Mart founder, does not want socks issue prolonged
PETALING JAYA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, wants the controversial socks issue not to be prolonged.
His Majesty, who granted an audience to the founder and executive chairman of KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd, Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan, reiterated that no party should take advantage of this matter, including inciting others.
“I do not want this issue to be prolonged,” Sultan Ibrahim decreed to the Royal Press Office.
During the 15-minute audience at Istana Negara, Chai sought His Majesty’s forgiveness and apologised to the King over the sale of socks with the word “Allah” printed on them.
Chai also apologised to the Muslim community.
His Majesty also warned all parties, including KK Super Mart, to be more careful regarding products being sold, especially imported goods, to avoid the issue from recurring.
“All parties must be more responsible. This should not happen again. I hope this is the last time I have to stress on this,” His Majesty decreed.
The chain has been mired in controversy since March 13 after the controversial socks were discovered in the Bandar Sunway outlet.
Chai and his wife, Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui, have been charged with two counts of intentionally wounding the religious sensitivities of Muslims over the distribution and sale of the socks.
The couple had pleaded not guilty.
Anger towards KK Super Mart over the issue has led to three firebombing attempts on the convenience store’s outlets in Perak, Pahang and Sarawak.
Following the incident, the Prime Minister ordered the police not to compromise and for action to be taken against those who commit such acts.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also warned that racial and religious must not be used to disrupt order in the country.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has vowed that stern action would be taken against those who vandalise KK Super Mart and that investigations were ongoing to identify the perpetrators, warning the public against taking matters into their own hands.
