THE POLICE have completed their investigation paper regarding the controversy on the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah” and are now awaiting further instructions from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said that his office is waiting for the latest instructions from the AGC, after 143 police reports were received and a total of 174 witnesses were interviewed.
He said that four investigation papers were completed after some updates.
The AGC is expected to prepare for prosecution against two parties – convenience store chain KK Super Mart and the distribution company that supplied the socks, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd.
Mohd Shuhaily told a press conference today that charges will be brought against these two parties.
Meanwhile, a charge has been made involving one report related to this case in Batu Kikir, Negeri Sembilan, while sentences have been meted out in two other cases.
The first conviction saw a man who pleaded guilty sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of RM15,000.
The second case involved a man who was sentenced to spend six months in prison and pay a fine of RM12,000 after he also pleaded guilty..
Commenting further, Mohd Shuhaily said that out of the 174 witness recordings taken by the police, most involved KK Super Mart employees, office workers and lorry drivers.
He said that based on the investigation, the order for the socks with the word “Allah” was made in February, while the distribution was done in early March. The items were first detected on March 13.
Both KK Super Mart and Xin Jian Chang have tendered apologies over the offensive items which were made in China.
Both have explained that they were not aware of the wording on the socks which were part of a supply from the foreign manufacturer containing an assortment of socks with different designs
It has been reported that the police found only five pairs of the contentious socks in KK Mart's premises.
On Wednesday Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar IBrahim had said that any punishment meted out on the parties should not be excessive.
"People commit mistakes just like how we also make mistakes," he said.
He also stressed that those who made the mistake should not be taken to task to the point of being tormented, in obvious reference to the apology tendered by the parties.
"My advice is that one should not rush headlong or follow one’s narrow thinking,” he added. – The Vibes, March 22, 2024
