Stern action must be taken on those culpable in sock issue, says King

PETALING JAYA: Stern action must be taken against those found culpable in the controversial sock issue, says His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

Sultan Ibrahim said socks being sold with the word "Allah" on them was a grave issue as it offends Muslims and threatens national harmony.

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"The word 'Allah' is held high by Muslims and furthermore, it is in the Ramadan month.

"This should not have not happened. I have just stated the need for multi-racial community to be united and respect each other in my address in Parliament and yet this has happened.

"Whether this is intended or not, whether imported or produced by local factories, I want authorities to investigate and take stern action in accordance with the law so that there is no repeat," said His Majesty in a Facebook post on Tuesday (March 19).

Sultan Ibrahim also said it did not make sense for a company with Malaysian staff not to be aware of these sensitivities.

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"We have lived together for such a long time in a multi-cultural society. Mistakes on religious and racial issues cannot be accepted any more, nor should they be allowed to happen again," said the King.

Meanwhile, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim expressed hope that the issue would not jeopardise national harmony.

"The name of Allah is an important holy word for Muslims. I urge authorities to take firm action and ensure that an issue like this does not happen again. This issue cannot be taken lightly," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

In a statement convenience store chain KK Super Mart, apologised and said it had pulled all such socks off its shelves.

"We regret the incident and take this seriously," read the statement, which went on to explain that the socks were sold on consignment from a vendor.