KUALA LUMPUR: Over 1,000 pairs of shoes from Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd have been seized by the police as part of its probe into a contentious shoe logo that appeared to resemble the word "Allah" in Arabic script.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain (pic) said the police will be working together with the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on the matter.
“A total of 1,145 pairs of shoes were seized in Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah. There have been no arrests made.
“The CID will work together with Jakim to determine if the logo was following the shape of the shoe or was khat (Jawi calligraphy) Allah.
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“Investigations are ongoing. We just want to confirm if there are any offences in the logo,” he said when met at the Police Training Centre here on Monday (April 8).
Eight police reports had been lodged on the matter as of 7pm yesterday.
Razarudin added that investigations would include calling in the company’s management for statements.
“What is important is the results of Jakim’s report,” he said.
A three-minute video had gone viral on social media in which a man claimed that the shoes he purchased displayed a logo believed to resemble the word "Allah”.
Following this, Vern’s Holding apologised in a statement on Sunday (April 7) evening for offending any sensitivities, clarifying that the graphic is actually a stylised high-heeled shoe with straps.
"We had no intention of creating a logo that undermines or insults any religion or belief and we are hoping to be given the opportunity to explain its design.
"Our management would like to humbly apologise to all and we are hoping for a chance to correct the oversight," read the company's statement.
According to the company, it has taken immediate steps to cease the sales of the shoes affected and will offer refunds to customers who have purchased the shoes.
It said the logo was "100%" inspired based on the silhouette of a high-heeled shoe.
"However, we admit that there are flaws in the logo design that may result in it being misinterpreted and thereby offending others," added the company.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that Jakim has been instructed to call up the parties concerned to obtain further explanations today.
