Taking action: Authorities conducting an inspection on a KK Super Mart outlet in Kulai, Johor.
JOHOR BARU: At least 12 local councils here have conducted inspections in more than 70 KK Super Mart outlets statewide, a day after the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim had called on authorities to take firm action on the socks controversy.
One store was ordered to close while several others were issued compounds for violations that included operating without a licence, causing obstruction, not adhering to advertising regulations and selling alcohol without a licence.
Checks on the official Facebook pages of all 16 local councils in Johor found that at least 74 outlets, including 52 in the Greater Johor Baru area, were checked yesterday.
The operations were jointly conducted by the police, the Johor Islamic Religious Department and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
No socks with the word “Allah” printed on them were found in any of the stores.
However, the Segamat Municipal Council seized a total of 196 bottles of alcohol that were being sold without a licence in one outlet.
“The outlet was also ordered to close immediately in accordance with the council’s by-laws as they did not separate the alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks,” it said in a posting.
In Batu Pahat, a branch was issued with a compound for operating without an advertising licence under the Batu Pahat Municipal Council’s advertising licence by-laws.
On Tuesday, the Regent had urged authorities to take firm action over the sale of the controversial socks to ensure there was no repeat of a similar issue.
“The issue cannot be taken lightly,” he said on his Facebook page, adding that he considered the matter to be a serious one.
