KK Super Mart Faces Backlash for Selling Socks With Word ‘Allah’ Printed on Them

On 13 March, an Instagram influencer uploaded several photos showing socks bearing the word "Allah" which were reportedly being sold at KK Super Mart at Bandar Sunway.

After the post went viral, the 24-hour convenience store chain released an official apology on its social media channels and took steps to remove the product from its shelves.

In its statement, KK Super Mart explained that it was a consignment product from its vendor, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, from Batu Pahat in Johor to which they had reached out for an explanation.

"We admit our mistake in not carefully inspecting the product which was procured from China. We will be more careful and sensitive in the future. We apologise to all Muslims," the vendor said.

Despite the vendor's statement of apology and KK Super Mart's clarification, the public called for a boycott of the convenience stores.

A few days after the incident which divided the nation, in a press conference on 16 March, KK Super Mart founder and executive chairperson Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai said his team had never made such a mistake in his 23 years in the business and stated that he takes full responsibility for the blunder.

"We don't want to offer mere excuses," he said while appealing for an end to calls for a boycott against his company.