2024 Malaysian Allah socks controversy

Last updated
KK Super Mart Allah socks incident
Allah by Abdulaziz Sahin.jpg
The graphic designed by Abdulaziz Sahin featured on the controversial socks.
Date13 March 2024
Location
KK Super Mart, Sunway City, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Caused bySale of socks featuring the word "Allah"
MethodsBoycott calls, Molotov cocktail attacks, social media backlash
StatusOngoing investigation, legal actions taken
Parties
Muslim community, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), Malaysian government
KK Super Mart, Xin Jian Chang (distributor)
Lead figures

KK Super Mart management, Xin Jian Chang distributors

Casualties and losses
3 Molotov cocktail attacks on KK Super Mart outlets

On 13 March 2024, a pair of socks featuring the word Allah for sale at a KK Super Mart in Sunway City, Petaling Jaya, sparked public controversy in Malaysia. [1] Due to its perceived insult on Islam, especially on the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at that time the incident quickly gained attention on social media and led to responses from political and religious figures, calls for boycotts, [2] and ultimately, legal action against the store's management and its distributor, Xin Jian Chang. [3] The case drew attention to issues of religious respect in consumer products and prompted debates on freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in Malaysia. [4]

Reactions

This case received the attention of the public and politicians such as Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh, [5] Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, [6] Datuk Razali Idris, [4] and leaders from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). [7] [8] [9] Some political analysts suggested that certain Muslim politicians were leveraging the event to rally support from Malay nationalists and potentially exacerbate divisions in multicultural Malaysia. [10]

Some commentators urged the public not to exaggerate this issue, including Chong Sin Woon, [11] Wee Ka Siong, [12] Loke Siew Fook, [13] Nga Kor Ming, [14] Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, [15] Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi [16] and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. [17] On social media, some users called for a boycott of the store chain. [2]

KK Super Mart issued an apology for selling the controversial socks, and they have committed to removing the item from their shelves. The distributor of these socks, Xin Jian Chang, also expressed regret. According to their statement, the socks in question were part of a shipment of 18,800 pairs produced by a Chinese company. [18] Only five pairs out of this large quantity had the contentious print. KK Super Mart confirmed that they discovered these socks in stock at three of their 800 outlets. [2]

Chronology of Attacks

March 26, 2024: First KK Mart Attack

A KK Super Mart outlet in Bidor, Perak, was targeted at approximately 5:35 a.m. The assailants used a Molotov cocktail, causing damage to the store's exterior. No injuries were reported. [19] [20]

March 30, 2024: Second KK Mart Attack

Another KK Super Mart in Sungai Isap, Kuantan, Pahang, was attacked at around 5 a.m. The firebomb caused a fire at the store's entrance, which was promptly extinguished by the staff, preventing further damage. [21]

April 1, 2024: Third KK Mart Attack

A third attack occurred in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, when another KK Super Mart outlet was targeted with a Molotov cocktail at around 7:45 a.m. The store's entrance suffered minor damage, but no injuries were reported. The Wangsa Maju police launched an immediate investigation and reviewed CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators. [22] [23] [24] [25]

April 6, 2024: Arrest of UMNO Youth Chief Akmal Saleh

On April 6, 2024, UMNO Youth Chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh was arrested in Sabah amid rising tensions following the KK Mart attacks. His detention led to widespread political reactions, with some party leaders calling for his immediate release, while others supported law enforcement efforts to curb any activities linked to the attacks. Authorities have not disclosed whether his arrest was directly related to the KK Mart firebombings. [26]

Investigation

Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Acting Sultan of Johor (Tunku Mahkota Johor), Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim ordered that those responsible are subject to strict action by the authorities to avoid the same incident from happening again. [18]

Director of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, said two investigation papers were opened following the receipt of 42 reports. This case will be investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit under Section 298A of the Penal Code. This section pertains to religious reasons, specifically actions that create an atmosphere of disharmony, division, enmity, hatred, malice, or harm to unity.

On March 20, the man who posted the original photo of the socks to social media was arrested. [27]

On March 25, Malaysian police announced that the directors of KK Super Mart and the Xin Jian Chang distribution company would be held liable in court. The directors of KK Super Mart would be charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code for "intentionally wounding religious feelings", while the Xin Jian Chang distribution company would be charged with "abetting the offense". [10] [28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Stoking Kalimah Allah Dijual, Firdaus Wong Minta Tindakan Segera". My Berita. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Annuar, Azril (2024-03-20). "Boycott calls and apologies in Malaysia amid uproar over socks with the word 'Allah'". The Straits Times. ISSN   0585-3923 . Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  3. ↑ "Malaysian supermarket chain and supplier to be charged over 'Allah' socks". South China Morning Post. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  4. 1 2 "Kenapa DAP, MCA lantang mengenai stoking kalimah Allah – Razali". Berita Harian. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "'Boikot jika tiada permohonan maaf secara bertulis'". Harian Metro (in Malay). 17 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Melaka Chief Minister supports Dr Akmal's stance on 'Allah' socks". NST. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  7. ↑ "Isu stoking: Pas Johor sifatkan tindakan tidak bertamadun". Sinar Harian (in Malay). 18 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Stokin bertulis kalimah Allah – Permohonan maaf tidak cukup, perlu tindakan paling tegas". Harakah Daily (in Malay). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Pelaku hina Islam mesti dikenakan hukuman keras". Berita Harian (in Malay). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Malaysian supermarket chain and supplier to be charged over 'Allah' socks". South China Morning Post. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  11. ↑ "MCA minta Akmal jangan perbesarkan isu stoking KK Mart". Malaysiakini (in Malay). 17 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Let's move on from socks issue and learn from it, says Dr Wee". The Star. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  13. ↑ "Stoking kalimah Allah: Pemimpin politik perlu jadi pembina jambatan erat semangat perpaduan". Berita Harian. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  14. ↑ "Kor Ming tak perlu masuk campur isu stoking kalimah Allah". Kosmo (in Malay). 22 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  15. ↑ "Akmal tak patut tunggang isu stoking, Umno berisiko ditolak rakyat - King Sing". Berita Harian (in Malay). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "Jangan berlebihan ulas isu stoking kalimah Allah – Ahmad Zahid". Kosmo. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "Stoking kalimah Allah: Anwar mahu tindakan segera ikut undang-undang". Harian Metro (in Malay). 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  18. 1 2 "Malaysia's king slams mini-mart chain over 'Allah' socks". South China Morning Post. 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  19. ↑ "Another KK Mart bombed: Domestic terrorism must be nipped in the bud". Jesselton Times. March 30, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Molotov cocktail thrown at KK Super Mart sparks probe". The Star. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  21. ↑ "After third KK Mart attacked, Unity and Religious Affairs Ministers plan urgent meet for solutions". Malay Mail. April 2, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Third KK Super Mart outlet attacked with Molotov cocktail". The Star. April 1, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Another KK Mart store hit by molotov cocktail attack". NST. April 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  24. ↑ "Malaysia store attacked over 'Allah' socks". Al Jazeera. 2024-03-30. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  25. ↑ "Second KK Mart with molotov cocktail attack". NST. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  26. ↑ "UMNO Youth Chief Akmal arrested in Sabah". The Straits Times. April 6, 2024.
  27. ↑ Bunyan, John (2024-03-21). "Police arrest man over social media post mocking socks with 'Allah'". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  28. ↑ "5 to be charged on March 26 over 'disharmony' caused by KK Mart socks issue in Malaysia". The Straits Times. 2024-03-25. ISSN   0585-3923 . Retrieved 2024-03-26.
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