KK Super Mart founder and wife acquitted of criminal charges over socks with word ‘Allah’
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Since the controversy began in March 2024, the directors of KK Super Mart have apologised publicly several times.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE
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KK Super Mart and its supplier Xin Jiang Chang were on July 15 each fined RM60,000 (S$17,280) for deliberately hurting the feelings of Muslims by displaying socks bearing the word “Allah”, but the Malaysian chain’s founder and his wife were acquitted and discharged over the same charge.
Xin Jian Chang directors Soh Chin Huat, 61, and Goh Li Huay, 62, and their daughter Soh Hui San, 36 – who reportedly supplied the offensive socks to KK Super Mart – were also acquitted and discharged over the same charge.
Shah Alam Sessions Court judge Muhamad Anas Mahadzir made the decision after Deputy Public Prosecutor Masri Mohd Daud said the prosecution did not want to continue with the case against the five individuals. He had asked for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
In March, pairs of the made-in-China socks were found in several outlets of the chain, which operates 24 hours a day, every day. Many Muslims were reportedly offended, deeming it blasphemous to associate the word “Allah”, Arabic for God, with feet.
KK Mart founder Chai Kee Kan, 57, and his wife Loh Siew Mui, 53, who is the company’s director, pleaded not guilty when they were charged on March 26
The judge fined the two companies after KK Super Mart general manager Tee Kok Hiem, 61, and Xin Jian Chang director So Hui San, 36, pleaded guilty. The two firms were given a three-day deadline to pay the fine.
“This case has attracted a lot of attention because it involves a religious issue… In future, (everyone should) be more sensitive about issues that involve the sensitivity of the Muslim community or any religion,” Judge Anas said.
He added that KK Super Mart has to take more responsibility, and tighten quality control operations so as “to not let this happen again”.
Since the controversy began in March, the directors of KK Super Mart apologised publicly several times.
Cash registers and electronic signboards at the chain’s over 800 shops across Malaysia have also displayed an apology.
