Halal Certification controversy due to misunderstanding

KUALA LUMPUR: The recent controversy surrounding halal certification is due to misunderstandings among various parties.

According to Astro Awani, DAP Vice President Teresa Kok said she is leaving it to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) to provide clarification on the issue.

In a post on her Facebook account, Teresa stated that she met with the Deputy Director-General of JAKIM, Datuk Sirajuddin Suhaimee, and the Director of the Halal Malaysia Secretariat at JAKIM, Mohamad Zamri Mohamed Shapik, while attending the Special Committee on Finance and Economy meeting in Parliament on Thursday.

“Sirajuddin mentioned that they came to Parliament after providing a statement to police officers at Bukit Aman.

“This concerns the halal certification controversy involving the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, and myself.

“Therefore, I believe it is best for JAKIM to provide an explanation regarding this issue,” she said.

Last Thursday, Mohd Na’im stated that JAKIM is considering a proposal to mandate that restaurants and food companies obtain halal certification.

The following day, Teresa claimed that halal certification should be voluntary to allow businesses to decide based on market demand, rather than being enforced.

She was quoted as saying that making halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies would only add operational difficulties and burdens for small businesses.

This statement has faced criticism from various parties, including UMNO leaders, opposition figures, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia.