PUTRAJAYA, April 9 — Datuk Seri Ng Chuan Hoo, also known as Ah Foo, founder of Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd, provided a statement to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) yesterday concerning the issue of a logo resembling the word Allah on the soles of its shoes. Ng, 51, appeared before Jakim officials for nearly an hour, beginning at 11 am. Addressing reporters afterward, Ng expressed his company’s full cooperation with Jakim’s investigation and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) on the matter.
Apologizing for any offense caused to Muslims, he acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and hoped it would serve as a learning experience for the future. Ng emphasized his commitment to being more cautious and respectful in business dealings and assured that the shoes in question had been withdrawn from sale, demonstrating a gesture of respect. The issue surfaced when a three-minute video circulated on social media, showing a man claiming that the Vern’s shoes he purchased displayed a logo resembling the word Allah.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain stated that 1,145 pairs of shoes were seized for investigation, with eight reports lodged concerning the logo’s resemblance to the word Allah. An investigation has been initiated under Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
