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Closed over a month due to Malaysia’s lockdown, a department store in Sabah recently discovered its leather goods were sporting a new look. 

The Metrojaya said yesterday it had removed “damaged goods” that had been sitting in its closed store since March 18 after photos of mold-crusted leather accessories on display went viral. The items have been replaced, it added. 

The photos, dated May 10, were meant for “internal use” as Metrojaya prepares to resume operations tomorrow, the company said yesterday in a statement. 

“To all our valued shoppers, we would like to address a social media posting involving our Metrojaya Suria Sabah Store, which has been circulating online,” it . “Please note the photos in circulation were taken solely for internal use as we were preparing to reopen our store, which has been closed since 18 March 2020 in compliance with the Movement Control Order.” 

Metrojaya added that it is investigating how the leather items became covered in mold, noting that there may be “various reasons how the goods came to be in that condition.”

It also posted photos and videos of employees cleaning up the department store.

Photos of moldy leather accessories including shoes, bags, and belts had gone viral online. One photo also showed a seat for customers to try on shoes spotted with mold.  

“Can open shop also no point…goods all damaged after being left in shop for 2 mths..” Facebook user Nex Nezeum, who shared photos of the moldy leather accessories, wrote on Sunday. His post has been shared more than 40,000 times.

Malaysia’s Movement Control Order has been extended till June 9, but some businesses were allowed to resume operations last week. 

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