IT is definitely not a decision that everyone will welcome.

But the Shah Alam Sessions Court’s decision yesterday (July 15) to fine KK Super Mart and one of its suppliers, Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, RM60,000 each over the controversy surrounding a pair of socks bearing the word “Allah” brings an end to a contentious chapter.

What is more earth-shattering apart from the fines that were meted out following the guilty plea by both companies is certainly the judge’s verdict to discharge and acquit KK Super Mart founder Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan and his wife Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui over the charge of intentionally wounding the religious feelings of others.

Additionally, the court had also acquitted and discharged three officers from Xin Jian Chang, namely Soh Chin Huat, 61; Goh Li Huay, 62; and Soh Hui San, 36, who supplied the socks to KK Mart.

A cursory check of the sentiments on social media shows that opinions on the court decision are split along racial lines. Comments on Malay language social media platforms show that many were disappointed over what they felt was a slap on the wrist.

Given what they felt was a slur on Islam, many had wanted stiffer penalties to be imposed.

On non-Malay language platforms, many netizens were grateful that there’s now an end to a chapter over an issue which was a non-starter in the first place.

Recall that on March 26, the 57-year-old Chai who is founder of the 24-hour convenience store chain along with Loh, 53, had claimed trial on the charge of intentionally hurting the religious feelings of others.

The duo was accused of committing the offence at an outlet in Bandar Sunway, Selangor at 6.30am on March 13.

The charge was framed under Section 298 of the Penal Code which specifies imprisonment up to a year, a fine or both.

Xin Jian Chang directors Soh Chin Huat, Goh Li Huay, and Soh Hui San were also slapped with a charge of conspiring to intentionally wound the religious sensitivities of Muslims.

While KK Super Mart and Xin Jin Chang have been brought to book, the perpetrators behind the arson attempt at 24-hour convenience store outlets are still on the loose.

At the height of the controversy which revolved around the sale of a pair of socks bearing the word “Allah” in one of KK Super Mart’s 881 outlets nationwide, at least three of the stores faced arson attacks.

Ironically, UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, mastermind of the blanket boycott campaign who demanded that all 881 KK Mart outlets nationwide hoist an apology banner while inciting Muslims’ retaliation, had ‘conveniently’ distanced himself from the fire-bombing incidences.

Molotov cocktail bombs were lobbed at KK Super Mart’s outlets in Kuantan (Pahang), Bidor (Perak) and Satok (Kuching, Sarawak).

To this day, nobody has been charged although police have taken statements from several individuals over these incidents.

Now that the chapter on KK Mart and Xin Jin Chang’s wrongdoings has been closed, it is time the cops pulled up their socks in hunting for perpetrators of the Molotov cocktail attacks that were engineered to harm the country’s unity.

This will at least do justice to Chai and his wife whose lives and family business have been turned upside down for 124 days. - July 16, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/lets-find-the-molotov-cocktail-attackers-now-that-kk-marts-allah-inscription-on-socks-case-is-settled/