Quick to act: Police personnel talking to reporters outside the factory.
JOHOR BARU: Police seized five pairs of socks with the word “Allah” printed on them during an inspection at Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd’s factory, says the vendor located in Batu Pahat that supplied the socks.
Batu Pahat OCPD ACP Ismail Dollah said a team of 40 policemen from the state contingent police headquarters and Batu Pahat district police headquarters carried out checks at the factory at about 9am yesterday.
He said inspections found that the factory had imported 16 bundles containing 18,800 socks, but only five pairs were found with the word “Allah” printed on them.
“The factory’s management gave its full cooperation to us throughout the inspection.
“We checked each of the goods in their stocks and found that the items did not have the word ‘Allah’ printed on them except for the five pairs, which were later seized.
“The five pairs of socks were returned by the convenience store in KK Super Mart Bandar Sunway in Selangor,” he told the media after the inspection.
He added only three of the convenience store branches in Selangor were found selling the controversial socks: two in Bandar Sunway and another one in Sunway Mentari.
The case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, he said.
ACP Ismail also reminded members of the public as well as groups and NGOs against taking part in demonstrations related to the issue, which could disrupt public harmony.
“We will not hesitate to take action against those who engage in such activities that are against the law.
“Let the police carry out their investigations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) summoned the founder of the convenience store chain KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd, Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai on Monday.
In a statement, the department also issued a stern warning to the company to take steps to ensure that the matter does not happen again.
“The company management has also given an explanation on the issue and steps that it will implement to ensure that there is no repeat of the incident,” said Jakim director-general Datin Paduka Hakimah Mohd Yusoff.
She said Jakim supported the action by the police to open an investigation paper on the incident, which she said had touched on the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.
She reminded entrepreneurs, manufacturers, suppliers and importers to be cautious of sensitive issues that touch on religion and race to ensure that harmony in the society is maintained.
Hakimah advised the people not to raise issues related to 3R (religion, royalty and race).
“Let the authorities handle such matters,” she added.
