SHAH ALAM, March 26 — The founder and group executive chairman of KK Group that owns the KK Mart convenience store chain, and his wife, were charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court today, over the sale of socks with the word ‘Allah’ printed on them at one of KK Mart’s outlets in Selangor.

Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, also known as KK Chai, and his wife Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui, who is a director of the company, were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of others.

The duo pleaded not guilty after their individual charges were read before judge Muhamad Anas Mahadzir.

They were both allowed to post bail of RM10,000 each, and the case has been fixed for mention for April 29.

If found guilty, the duo can be jailed for up to one year in jail, fined, or both.

Soh Chin Huat, the director of Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd that distributed the contentious socks, his daughter and managing director Soh Hui San as well as Chin Huat's wife, Goh Li Huay were all charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 298, for abetting said offence by supplying the convenience store chain with the socks.

They were allowed to post bail of RM10,000 each. If found guilty, the trio can also be jailed for up to one year in jail, fined, or both.

Additionally, KK Supermart and Superstore Sdn Bhd and Xin Jian Chang were also charged separately as entities.

The court charges today come as KK Mart filed a lawsuit against Xin Jian Chang and Chin Huat, for supplying the controversial socks, seeking a court declaration that the supplier had unlawfully interfered with its business, and for court orders for Xin Jian Chang and its director to indemnify it for the losses and to prevent further causing of losses by unlawful interference to business.

It is also claiming RM10.5 million for the damage caused to its brand name and goodwill in the market, and RM20.3 million caused by the aborted proposed listing on the stock exchange — or initial public offering (IPO) — of its business, as well as aggravated damages to be assessed by the court, and punitive and exemplary damages.