SHAH ALAM: Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd, the Batu Pahat-based company which allegedly supplied socks bearing the word "Allah" to KK Super Mart, were charged at the Sessions Court today with conspiring to intentionally wound the religious sensitivities of Muslims.
The company, its directors, Soh Chin Huat, 61, his wife, Goh Li Huay, 62, and their daughter Soh Hui San, 36, were separately charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code read with Section 298 before judge Muhamad Anas Mahadzir.
The company, represented by Soh and the trio were each accused of committing the offences at the KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd outlet in Bandar Sunway on March 13 at 6.30am.
They can be jailed up to a year or fine or both if found guilty.
Lau Yi Leong, the defence counsel for the company and the directors, pleaded for RM5,000 bail for each of them.
He said Soh took responsibility by facing the media after the controversy broke and he had given his cooperation to the police during investigations.
"There is no risk that he will not come to court and so far, there are no complaints on non-adherence on his part. He has four children and two grandchildren.
"Therefore, there is no risk for him to abscond."
As for Goh, Lau said his client was listed as a company director but she was not involved in the management and operations.
"She is a housewife living in Batu Pahat and takes care of their grandchildren. She has no reason not to come court. She will come with her husband," he said.
As for Hui San, Lau said she, too, had cooperated with the police on the matter and was not a flight risk.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud proposed RM10,000 bail for each of them.
Judge Muhamad Anas set RM10,000 bail each with one surety and fixed April 29 for mention.
At the same court earlier, Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan, the founder and executive chairman of the KK Mart Group, and his company director wife Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui, both pleaded not guilty to separate charges under Section 298.
They were accused of intentionally wounding the religious sensitivities of Muslims by displaying socks bearing the word "Allah" at the same place and time which was sighted on Riza Aryandi Nasution Sharif.
On March 13, social media was abuzz after images showing a pair of socks bearing the word 'Allah' allegedly being sold at a KK Super Mart shop in Bandar Sunway.
The incident triggered a frenzied reaction among various quarters, with some calling for a boycott of the stores.
On March 16, Chai made a public apology for the mistake made in his 23 years in the business, saying he could not accept the sales of socks bearing the word Allah, what more to print such products.
Soh said the socks were obtained in bundle from China and it arrived in a batch of 1,200 pairs at their facility in Batu Pahat, Johor last year.
He said the socks were sent out to various KK Super Mart premises on Jan 29 and their employees made a mistake by not scrutinising them.
The socks have since been removed from the stores nationwide.
Federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the case was being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code for issues related to religion, causing disharmony, disunity, or hatred, malicious intent, or detrimental to unity.