Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim recently met with Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, the founder and executive chairman of the KK Mart Group, which has been embroiled in the "Allah" socks controversy.
During their 15-minute audience at Istana Negara, Chai, affectionately known as KK Chai, offered his apologies to Sultan Ibrahim for the controversy stemming from the sale of the contentious socks.
In an official social media post by Sultan Ibrahim, Chai sought forgiveness from His Majesty and all Muslims regarding the issue of selling socks with the word "Allah" printed on them at KK Super Mart outlets. Responding to Chai's apology, the King emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance by all parties, including KK Mart, regarding the products sold in their stores. His Majesty particularly highlighted the need for caution with imported goods to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Expressing his desire for swift resolution, Sultan Ibrahim urged all parties to be more responsible and refrain from exploiting the situation, emphasizing his reluctance for the issue to linger any further. The King's statement, shared by the Royal Press Office, underscored his firm stance against any attempts to incite public discord.
The controversy surrounding KK Super Mart erupted on March 13 when images of socks bearing the word "Allah" circulated on social media. Despite apologies from the company's management, the situation escalated, leading to a nationwide boycott initiated by Umno Youth chief Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
Earlier, on March 27, Sultan Ibrahim had expressed his dissatisfaction with the controversy and called for decisive action against those responsible. Recent events have seen targeted attacks on KK Super Mart outlets, with incidents of firebombing reported in Bidor, Tapah, and Sungai Isap, Kuantan. These attacks are believed to be linked to the "Allah" printed socks controversy.
In a significant development, Chai and his wife were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code for intentionally causing hurt to the religious feelings of others. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The King's meeting with KK Mart's founder and subsequent directives signal a concerted effort to address the issue and prevent its escalation. Sultan Ibrahim's call for responsibility and restraint reflects a commitment to upholding religious sensitivities while fostering social harmony in Malaysia. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders await further developments with hopes for reconciliation and resolution.
Source: Link
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