Kk Mart Faces Boycott Calls Despite Apology Over Allah Socks

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KK Mart Group is facing a call for a boycott from members of the public. - NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: The clarification and apologies issued by KK Mart Group following the blunder in sales of socks bearing the word Allah has seemed to have little to no impact on the boycott calls over the chain.
The incident, which calls for a boycott of the chain on social media platforms, has also riled the public who expressed their dismay over the incident.
Some individuals have remarked that the incident was considered insensitive and implied that it should serve as a big lesson as the matter could have a huge impact on business.
Rapper-turned-social media influencer, Ariz Ramli, 36, or Caprice expressed disappointment over the incident and questioned the inventory process of the chain.
 added that such matters should not occur in the first place as there are several layers of process that must be adhered to have products displayed in the chain.
"If we want to put our product in your store, there needs to be a party to assess, another to inspect the goods, there is also quality control (process) and pricing needs to be set.
"(Hence,) we want to know how in this process, (it) could have slipped through and have the socks displayed. Clear explanations need to be made.
"We will not support KK Mart until clear explanations are provided," he said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Facebook user Sumardy Abdul Sani said stern actions by the authorities must be taken over the incident.
"(I am) disappointed with KK Mart, I always visit the chain to buy cat food upon returning from work at night as they always stock.
"(However), the issue is not a small matter and legal actions must be taken despite apologies issued by them," he said.
At the same time, the New Straits Times' comment section on Facebook over the post also saw the public expressing their views over the incident.
Surendran Perumal said the group needs to step up their game in its inventory processes as it is not a small business.
"Try to obtain more information. Who is the supplier? Who approved the purchase? This is not a small shop, it is a big company.
"Hence, every purchase must go through several levels of approval."
Another individual by the name Hanif said the group should have a fixed product sample approval before any product is allowed to go on sale.
Meanwhile, KK Mart founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr K.K. Chai yesterday made a public apology over the issue and said even he could not accept the incident.
Chai, when referring to the sales of the product, said his team had never made such a mistake in his 23 years in the business.
Chai appealed to consumers to stop the boycott against the chain.
At the same time, he said, KK Mart also submitted an explanation letter to the Home Ministry, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar and religious authorities regarding the issue.
He said the product supplier was allotted a space to display their items in the premises and the processes were handled fully by the company in question without KK Mart staff supervision. - NST

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