KK Mart outlet in UM vandalised, sprayed with red paint

Summary

• A KK Mart outlet at Kompleks Perdana Siswa in Universiti Malaya (UM) gets vandalised with red paint.

• University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) president Lim Jing Jet urges varsity management to conduct a transparent probe on the matter.

• He also says such extreme actions are improper to express one’s dissatisfaction.

A KK Mart outlet at Kompleks Perdana Siswa (KPS) in Universiti Malaya (UM) was vandalised with red paint earlier today.

This comes after UM management shuttered two KK Mart outlets on its campus over its sandwich packs - where its halal credential came into question.

Taking to Facebook, Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) president Lim Jing Jet urged the university administration to investigate the matter and act to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

“If anyone wishes to protest against KK Mart, these extreme actions are not an appropriate means to express yourself,” he said.

Following the UM’s action to close the outlets, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) stated that the sandwich as a whole does not have halal certification, in response to the halal logo being placed on the sandwich’s packaging.

KK Mart said the sandwiches were made by Shake and Bake Cafe Sdn Bhd and sold on multiple platforms, including the convenience store chain’s Concept Store outlets.

It said Shake and Bake Cafe had produced halal certificates for the chicken ham and cheese slices used in the sandwich. The food manufacturer had also provided the wording for the product.

However, KK Mart said Shake and Bake Cafe was not authorised to use KK Mart’s logo on the sandwich’s packaging - which it said was done by the manufacturer.

Increase surveillance

On that note, Lim said the incident raises questions about the campus’ security and urged UM’s management to increase surveillance and patrols around the vicinity.

“If a chain convenience store like KK Mart can be vandalised on campus, what does this mean for the safety of other areas and the students themselves?

“The university should take concrete measures to enhance security, including increasing surveillance and patrols, and work closely with the student union to create a safer campus environment,” he added.

When contacted, Brickfields district police chief Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood confirmed that a police report had been lodged on the matter.

He also said the report was filed by a UM auxiliary police at 8am.

“The incident is suspected to have occurred at 12.50am today and the case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code (dealing with public mischief),” Ku Mashariman told Malaysiakini.

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