PETALING JAYA: The sessions court has acquitted and discharged the founder and director of convenience store chain KK Mart and his wife of intentionally wounding the religious feelings of others over the sale of socks bearing the word "Allah".
.The court also acquitted and discharged three officers from Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, the Batu Pahat-based vendor which supplied KK Mart with the socks, Utusan Malaysia reported.
The couple’s company, KK Supermart and Superstore Sdn Bhd, was however fined RM60,000 for the offence.
Xin Jian Chang was also slapped with a RM60,000 fine.
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Chai is also the company’s CEO while Loh is the company’s director.
In March, the couple claimed trial to intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by selling socks bearing the word "Allah".
.They were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both upon conviction.
However, in April, it was reported that Chai and Loh would submit representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers regarding their charge.
Meanwhile, the three officers from Xin Jian Chang – Soh Chin Huat, Soh Hui San and Goh Li Huay – claimed trial in March to a charge of abetting under Section 109 of the Penal Code.
Multiple police reports were lodged against KK Mart after its Bandar Sunway branch was found to be selling the socks on March 13.
The incident led to calls for boycotts, while several outlets were attacked with Molotov cocktails.
Chai apologised at a press conference with Xin Jian Chang’s representatives on March 16, saying the socks were imported from China and supplied by the vendor.
Xin Jian Chang’s factory has been temporarily closed by the Batu Pahat municipal council. - FMT
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