Vern’s clarifies, apologises for shoe logo
Published on: Sunday, April 07, 2024
By:
Amirul Aiman, FMT
PETALING JAYA: Shoe company Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd has apologised for the logo design of a line of high-heeled shoes which the company said could be misinterpreted.
The company’s management said in a statement it has taken immediate steps to cease the sale of the shoes and offered refunds to customers who have purchased them.
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The company statement came hours after religious authorities called for an investigation into shoes bearing a logo purportedly resembling the Arabic word for “Allah”.
The logo design, which is imprinted on the sole, “was inspired by the image of interconnected lines resembling a high-heeled shoe”, the company said. “We acknowledge that there are shortcomings in the logo’s design that could lead to misinterpretation, thereby offending the feelings of many parties.
“We have absolutely no intention of designing a logo aimed at belittling or insulting any religion or belief. The management would like to humbly apologise and seek forgiveness. We hope for compassion so we can rectify this mistake,” the statement said.
Vern’s said the incident is a valuable lesson for the company to be more careful when making any decisions.
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Earlier today, religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said the Islamic development department (Jakim) would investigate a company that purportedly sold shoes with their logo resembling the word “Allah”, in Arabic, printed on the soles.
He also called for all parties to remain calm and provide space for Jakim and the authorities to investigate the matter.
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In a Facebook post that went viral earlier today, a man said he bought the shoes from the company’s outlet in Kuantan.
He shared a video showing the shoe and its sole after taking it out of the packaging.
The police report he lodged into the matter at the Kuantan police station this afternoon states that the case is being probed under Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998
Section 298 of the Penal Code deals with intentionally wounding the religious feelings of others while Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act cites misuse of network facilities to cause offence.
This latest issue follows that of convenience store chain KK Mart which became mired in controversy last month after socks bearing the word “Allah” were found being sold at its Bandar Sunway outlet. The company made a formal apology over the issue.
However, KK Mart’s founder and director have since been charged over the matter and are accused of “intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims”. - FMT
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