THE ISSUE of images of the Miranosock socks bearing the word ‘Allah’ being sold at convenience store chain KK Super Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet not only went viral on social media. As of now it seems that the issue has suddenly become a national issue too. Thanks to a public reaction by the Umno Youth chief.
To rub salt to the wound, the media also reports that the King and Johor regent have also jumped into the bandwagon by urging the authorities to take strict action over the sale of socks bearing the word ‘Allah’. Being constitutionally tasked to protect and safeguard the sanctity of the religion of Islam, the reaction by the King on this hot-button issue would be, in my view, perfectly understandable.
Anyway, the police confirm that investigation papers have been opened over the matter and the investigation would be carried out under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, or enmity on religious grounds, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper network facility use or service. It is hoped that the police will conduct the investigation professionally – without fear and favour.
In penning this note I have no intention of meddling into a police investigation. After all, the investigation is still ongoing. On the other hand, this article is only dedicated to a Muslim fraternity.
Umno Youth has been pushing hard against KK Super Mart. urging Muslims for a boycott if the chain fails to post banners apologising over the incident. Apparently, Umno Youth seeks to dictate the act of apology in accordance with its own terms.
The fact KK Super Mart has duly apologised to all its customers and the Muslim community in particular, and assured that immediate steps had been taken to stop the sale of the socks following the brouhaha is still deemed inadequate by Umno Youth.
No deliberate provocation
In fact, the supplier of the offending socks, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, has also tendered its apology despite the fact there has been no such demand by Umno Youth as far as I know. The supplier also expressed its utmost regret for such an unfortunate incident and in turn made the following statements "This has opened my eyes to the need to be more careful in bringing in products from overseas... we will learn from our mistakes.”
While acknowledging that this issue might be construed to be highly sensitive to Muslims and the author has no slightest intention of trivialising this issue, Muslims, should not however simply be oblivious to the factual matrix of the case. The facts of the case do not demonstrate, at least in my view, a case of a premeditated act of deliberate provocation against Islam. Using the lingua franca of criminal law, it seems to me there has been an absence of mala fide.
On the contrary, I view the whole incident to be a case of genuine and bona fide mistakes on the part of the supplier and KK Mart resulting in such an unfortunate fiasco. Ergo, I tend to believe that the convenience store had inadvertently overlooked the socks sent to them from a supplier. Of course, it should have been extremely cautious in scrutinising any imported materials from abroad. Nevertheless, it is difficult to accept the accusation that it deliberately tried to provoke the Muslims.
Boycott not a prudent move
The same goes with the supplier. In my view, there was an honest clarification on the part of the supplier when it duly explained that a particular batch of 1,200 socks of various designs and colours which arrived in its facility in Batu Pahat, Johor was procured in a bundle from China and its employees in turn sent the socks to various KK Super Mart premises on January 29 without fully and effectively scrutinising the items.
I strongly believe, based on the factual matrix of the case, that there is a strong case of honest and bona fide mistakes on the part of the supplier and KK Super Mart, hence this should be a perfect case for Muslims to forgive the alleged perpetrators – especially in this blessed month of Ramadan.
No doubt practising forgiveness can be extremely hard. As a Muslim, who shall be our true exemplar? No doubt the true exemplar par excellence shall be our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is interesting to note here that the great Imam Al-Bukhari had narrated in his highly valuable compilation entitled Al-Adab Al-Mufrad under the chapter heading ‘Forgiveness of Other People’ a whole raft of the Prophet Muhammad's superb embodiment of his forgiving personality traits.
Would a call for boycott against KK Super Mart by Umno Youth be considered as a prudent move? With the greatest respect, I don't think it would be a good idea. After all, the country is facing economic difficulty at the moment. Why should we further burden the plight of the people, including the Muslim workers in KK Mart?
In certain occasions and circumstances forgiveness would be a noble gesture. – The Vibes, March 20, 2024
Mohamed Hanipa Maidin is a former deputy minister of law and former MP for Sepang
