Recently, there’s been rage on the internet in pertaining to KK Super Mart being slammed by netizens for their irresponsibility in distributing socks with “Allah” inscription on it. Just yesterday, a local shoe company, Vern Holdings Sdn Bhd. has found itself embroiled in a contentious controversy surrounding the production of shoes which included a logo that resembled the word “Allah” in Arabic. This issue sparked an outrage on Twitter, igniting discussions on cultural insensitivity as well as corporate responsibility.
Upon receiving immediate backlash from several religious communities, netizens urged for those in charge to take some sort of action. This led to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to instruct Jakim to look into the matter in alliance with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Soon enough, the company was summoned on Sunday (7th April) to provide an official statement regarding the issue. The shoe company stressed that the logo on the soles are actually meant to resemble the high-heeled shoe itself.
In response to the mounting pressure, the shoe company issued a public apology, acknowledging their unintended offense caused by their design. Vern Holdings Sdn Bhd stated they are regretful for any distress caused, and are committed to take remedial measures to further rectify the situation.
Additionally, the company announced cessation of all sales related to the offending shoe and even halted the production of it. They even mentioned refunding their customers who had bought the shoe before the cessation order, signaling their willingness to listen to concerns of communities as well as uphold their beliefs.
UMNO Youth Chief, Dr. Muhamad Akmal Salleh expressed his gratitude after receiving a proper statement from Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd. The UMNO representative stated in a Facebook post, “I would like to thank the company for their explanation. This has provided relief to all Muslims”. He clarified that Vern’s statement is reasonable and praised the company’s professionalism in understanding the sensitivity within Muslim communities.
However, despite already giving a statement, the representative of the company will have to attend Jakim today (8th April) for further investigation and clarification. “We will not compromise if any party is found to have insulted Islam.” said the Minister of Religious Affairs.
In light of this matter, MCMC also added that action will be taken if any provocation between communities occurs. They even encouraged the public to report to relevant authorities including police if any similar issues happen in the near future.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and religious awareness in the realm of business and commerce. Diversity is celebrated in this country and cultural boundaries may blur at times. Hence, it is imperative for these companies to exercise caution and mindfulness in their product designs and marketing strategies.
Sources: Twitter, Free Malaysia Today.
Ariani Soraya contributed to this article.
