MCA slams ‘high-handed’ Jakim over halal cert process

Dr Chua blasted Jakim for its haughty and arbitrary manner in deciding over halal certifications. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — Accusing the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) of being high-handed in its handling of halal certifications, MCA president Datuk Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek today urged the agency to instead provide “room for more communication”.

“While I understand Jakim wants to establish itself as an international standard, they should allow room for communication. They cannot behave like ‘be all and end all’,” Dr Chua told reporters at MCA headquarters this morning.

“Jakim is high-handed in handling halal certification. I will bring this up in the national economic committee.”

The MCA president was responding complaints from the small and medium industries sector on the validation of the newly implemented portable DNA detector that traces contamination from pigs and dogs.

A fish ball manufacturer from Johor Baru, who wished to be known only as Ang, said at the same press conference that Jakim officials had taken samples from his factory in January and before revoking his halal licence in March due to alleged traces of pig contamination.

“When I asked them for the report, they were unwilling to show me. Not even a photocopy was given. They asked me to appeal (for another certificate),” Ang said.

Dr Chua added that most businesses are unhappy with the application process for halal certification as it requires a minimum of six months and was “very detrimental to business and will affect future business”.

“When these companies are rejected, they need (another) six months to reapply (for halal certification). Some of them take up to one year. This is grossly unfair.

“Jakim should educate and guide these companies, not punish them,” Chua said.

Representatives from the SMI Association Malaysia said the DNA machine was very sensitive and could easily be contaminated, urging the department to review its current testing procedure.

“This could be a case of cross-contamination. Also, when detection is taken, Jakim should not withdraw our certificates for six months, but let the company do a thorough audit,” a representative said.

“There should be greater dialogue between Jakim, we need to know why our products have been rejected,” he added.

Dr Chua also lambasted what he called a lack of transparency in Jakim, along with its seemingly arbitrary decisions.

“They will tell you you’re finished. There won’t be a second audit. Independent laboratory tests are not accepted.

“In Malaysia, all these manufacturers import ingredients from other countries. These ingredients are certified halal in countries they are from, but Jakim says they are not halal,” he said.

“What source of standard is Jakim based on? What is the standardisation of the test? Has it been calibrated and accepted internationally?” Dr Chua asked.