Vern’s founder gives statement to Jakim over logo resembling word ‘Allah’ on shoes
Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd yesterday gave its statement to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) regarding the issue of the logo resembling the word ‘Allah’ on the soles of its shoes.
Its founder Datuk Seri Ng Chuan Hoo, also known as Ah Foo, 51, was present to give his statement to Jakim officials for almost an hour starting at 11am.
Met by reporters after giving his statement, Ng said his company would give full cooperation regarding Jakim’s investigation and to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) on the issue.
Acknowledging that the matter may offend Muslims, he apologised and hoped the issue would be used as a lesson in the future.
“Ah Foo apologises on this issue, I learned from this misunderstanding and will be more sensitive and careful in the future.
“In the future, doing business one has to be careful and respectful,” he said while repeatedly bowing his head to apologise.
Ng said when the issue arose, he ordered that the shoes be kept and not to be sold in any shop.
“Ah Foo kept giving instructions to keep them and not to sell again... the first step is respect,” he said.
A three-minute video had recently gone viral on social media about a man claiming that the Vern’s shoes he bought displayed a logo he believed to be the word ‘Allah’.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said yesterday that 1,145 pairs of shoes were seized to assist in the investigation.
Previously, Razarudin said eight reports were lodged on the issue of the logo, with police investigating the matter under Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.