Vern’s, a Malaysian retailer with over 60 stores, issued a public apology over a logo design on its high heels that could be misinterpreted as offensive. The company clarified that the logo was a stylised depiction of the footwear and had no intention of belittling or insulting any religions or beliefs. Vern’s took immediate steps to stop the sale of the shoes and offered refunds to customers who had purchased them. UMNO youth chief Akmal Saleh accepted the company’s explanation and appreciated the actions taken by Vern’s to address the issue.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leader Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal expressed concern that the controversy over the logo design on the high heels made Islam appear petty and bad. He emphasized the need for actions to be based on knowledge rather than blind emotion. Malaysia’s religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar announced that the Islamic development department (JAKIM) would investigate the issue and urged all parties to remain calm. He also stated that the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs would not compromise with any party found to have insulted Islam.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Razarudin, reported that authorities had seized 1,145 shoes from Vern’s outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kedah, and Penang. The seller and manufacturer of the shoes would be called in to assist in the police investigation. The incident comes after a similar controversy involving KK Super Mart and its “Allah” socks, which prompted calls for a boycott from UMNO youth chief Akmal Saleh. Vern’s halted production of the controversial shoes and offered refunds to customers, which was seen as a positive step in addressing the issue raised by the public.
Despite Vern’s apology and actions taken to resolve the issue, Bersatu leader Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal highlighted the importance of decision-making based on knowledge rather than emotion. He cautioned against actions that might portray Islam in a negative light and emphasized the need for understanding and rational thinking in addressing such controversies. The Islamic development department (JAKIM) will investigate the matter further, and the police have seized the shoes for investigation. Malaysia’s religious affairs minister urged calm and stressed that any party found to have insulted Islam would face consequences.
The incident involving Vern’s and the logo design on its high heels sparked controversy in Malaysia, with concerns raised about potential religious insensitivity. UMNO youth chief Akmal Saleh accepted the company’s apology and acknowledged the steps taken by Vern’s to address the issue, including halting the production of the shoes in question and offering refunds to customers. The involvement of authorities such as the Inspector-General of Police and the Islamic development department (JAKIM) in investigating the matter reflects the seriousness with which such incidents are handled in Malaysia. Moving forward, there is a call for rational and knowledge-based decision-making to prevent misunderstandings and controversy that may negatively impact religious sensitivities.
