KUALA LUMPUR: The vendor of convenience store chain KK Super Mart, is mulling legal recourse for negligence against its supplier in China over the socks carrying the word "Allah."
The local company named Xin Jian Chang based in Johor, disclosed that it had initiated communication with the supplier for an explanation.
The supplier purportedly acknowledged that only five controversial socks were erroneously included in the 18,800 stocks acquired.
"We are currently seeking legal advice to explore possible legal action against the supplier for its negligence in fulfilling our order requirements.
"We have already contacted our China-based supplier to seek an explanation, and they have admitted that the problematic socks were included in the bulk of stocks we purchased by mistake.
"We are currently seeking legal advice to explore possible legal actions against the supplier for their negligence in fulfilling our order requirements," it said in a statement.
Controversy arose after photographs of the socks, sold at KK Mart's Bandar Sunway store went viral on social media.
KK Super Mart's management however have made a public apology, expressing regret over the incident and promised that the issue would not recur.
"We deeply regret any oversight in our quality control process that allowed these items to enter our inventory, despite our best efforts to ensure that all 18,800 socks received from our Chinese supplier were in accordance with the provided samples.
"We want to clarify that we have never intentionally ordered any socks with such words. All our orders are made based on samples provided, and we have consistently advised our Chinese suppliers to avoid providing us with products bearing words, symbols, or illustrations that could offend our Muslim community.
This practice underscores our commitment to cultural sensitivity and respect in our business dealings," it said.
It also said the company wasfully cooperating with the authorities, adding that police visited their factory in Batu Pahat, Johor, today.
It also raised concern over social media postings sharing personal data, including the residential addresses of its key officers, and issuing threats of violence, including burning down their factory and endangering lives.
"We urge fellow Malaysians to remain calm and refrain from engaging in any form of vigilantism or violence, and allow the relevant authorities to carry out their investigation in accordance with the law," it said.
