Halal cert shouldn’t be for non-Muslim operators only, says KJ

 

Khairy Jamaluddin (left) and Shahril Hamdan in the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast where they discussed the halal certification issue. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the proposal by the Islamic development department (Jakim) to make food establishments obtain halal certification, if implemented, should apply across the board and not only on non-Muslim operators.

Khairy, a former Umno Youth chief, was responding to his Keluar Sekejap podcast co-host Shahril Hamdan, who asked whether the proposal was intended to target operators of all food establishments or specifically non-Muslims.

“If it is to be made mandatory, then it should be mandatory for all. Otherwise, it would be unfair.

You can’t just say, because it’s a restaurant operated by a Muslim, halal certification isn’t necessary,

 Khairy said in the latest episode of the podcast.

Shahril, who is a former Umno information chief, then said the implication of Khairy’s suggestion was that operators had to choose between either obtaining halal certification or serving pork and/or alcohol.

Shahril stressed that non-Muslim operators who did not serve either pork or alcohol should not be forced to obtain halal certification.

Well, that’s the downside of this proposed policy to (put at) ease a majority of customers,

 Khairy said, referring to Muslims.

Last Thursday, religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said Jakim was mulling a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that did not serve pork or alcohol.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok opposed such a move, saying it could impose significant burdens on small businesses, restrict consumer freedom and might clash with Malaysia’s cultural diversity.

On Saturday, Umno’s ulama council said it was not necessary for the proposed rule to apply to Muslim operators as they were already personally bound by Islamic rules on halal and haram.

Khairy, however, said there were other ways to encourage businesses to obtain halal certification. They needed to see it as adding value to their businesses; as a certification to show cleanliness, hygiene and compliance with safety standards.

Meanwhile, Khairy urged Jakim to consider regulating the fees charged by consultants who assisted businesses in obtaining halal certification, including establishing a fee scale.

This way, applicants would be comforted knowing that the consultants were not acting as middlemen and charging exorbitant fees, he said.

Non-Muslim firms hold 76% of halal certification in Penang

Meanwhile, the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) said non-Muslim companies make up 76% of the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) holders in the state from January to June this year.

MAINPP president Mohamad Abdul Hamid said in a Bernama report that this comprised 462 non-Muslim companies covering micro, small, medium, multinational and foreign-owned industries.

Mohamad, who is also the Penang deputy chief minister, said the companies included those involved in food products, utilitarian materials, business premises, hotels, slaughter houses, cosmetics and logistics.

He said this showed Malaysia’s halal certification was trusted by all parties, regardless of religious or ethnic background. - FMT