KUALA LUMPUR: Police have seized a total of 1,145 shoes from Vern's Holdings Sdn Bhd (Verb's) following allegations of its shoe logo resembling the word 'Allah'.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the seizure took place at Vern's outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kedah and Penang.
"The Criminal Investigation Department will coordinate with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to determine whether it is the shoe model or whether it is the art of khat symbolising the word 'Allah'.
"There has also been no arrest yet (on the issue) and we want to confirm the offence based on the signage first," he said in a press conference during the transfer of duties ceremony for the Director and Chairman of the Investigation and Traffic Enforcement Department, today.
Razarudin added that the police will also call in the seller or manufacturer to assist in the investigation further.
Yesterday, Razarudin said eight police reports nationwide have been received regarding the issue.
An investigation paper has also been opened to probe the matter under Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar has instructed Jakim to call up relevant quarters and summon those responsible for the shoes to clarify the issue.
It was previously reported that a post showing a shoe logo alleged to resemble the word 'Allah' had made rounds on social media platforms.
The shoe company's management team has since issued a clarification and apology over the matter.
