Livestock sacrificial procedures need tightening in light of buffalo rampage death in Ulu Tiram

 

Letter to Editor

THE usual festive mood this Hari Raya Korban was punctured by a tragic headline – “Man Gored to Death by Buffalo During Raya Sacrifice in Ulu Tiram”.

In scenes that are normal during Eid al-Adha up and down the country, livestock are sacrificed in open fields, surau compounds and village squares.

This has been going on since time immemorial and nobody bats an eyelid. However, the tragedy that claimed one life and injured another (in two separate incidents coincidentally in Ulu Tiram, Johor) has brought to light some pertinent issues.

Of course, this being the age of social media, it did not take long for all sorts of 3R (race, religion and royalty) tainted comments to surface, thus making light of the tragedy. Ignoring such insensitivities, the tragic incident brings up questions surrounding safety issues.

The Aidil Adha sacrificial process in Malaysia is governed by Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). It is the latter in which I wish to focus on.

The DVS officially designates 27 permanent DVS abattoirs and over 43 licensed private slaughterhouses across Peninsular Malaysia for sacrificial slaughter during Aidil Adha.

If one plans to perform the rite outside licensed abattoirs (eg at mosques or surau), one must obtain an Outside Slaughter Permit (PSL) from the DVS district office.

The guidelines which can be viewed here is mainly to ensure compliance with animal welfare, hygiene and disease control. But as this tragic episode highlights, issues of safety must also be given due consideration to ensure there is no repeat.

A few things need attention

Firstly, what safety procedures can be put in place to prevent such mishaps from occurring?

JAKIM allows the stunning (or sedating) of animals prior to the Eid al-Adha sacrifice but under very strict conditions.

The animal must remain alive and be capable of being revived; if the stunning method causes the animal’s death before it is properly slaughtered, the sacrifice is deemed invalid.

The specific JAKIM and National Fatwa Council rulings outline these conditions clearly:

• Permitted methods: Only reversible electrical stunning is allowed. It is strictly used to temporarily immobilise the animal to reduce stress and prevent injury before the throat is slit.
• Prohibited methods: Mechanical stunning devices that penetrate the skull (penetrative captive bolt) or heavily blunt trauma (non-penetrative captive bolt) are haram and prohibited because they cause fatal injuries and kill the animal prior to ritual slaughter.
• Life signs: The animal must be strictly managed to ensure it is in a state of insensibility but retain life signs so that the standard dhabihah (Islamic slaughter) remains the actual cause of death.

Secondly, given that korban activities are held the length and breadth of the country involving millions of Muslims, any potential solutions must be logistically feasible.

Hence both JAKIM and DVS may need to propose methods that are suitable to be carried out in the village field and community mosques.

Perhaps, the DVS can conduct courses for those who will be responsible for preparing the animal for sacrifice on the do’s and don’ts. Over time, only those certified by the DVS (and JAKIM) can perform this essential task.

These suggestions are by no means an attempt to make life difficult for Muslims trying to observe a sacred ritual. Rather, it is an attempt to avoid such unfortunate incidents from turning a joyous religious festival into a tragedy.

Let’s hope there is constructive discussions on how such episodes can be avoided minus the 3R provocations.

In the meantime, a belated Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to all Malaysian Muslims.  

Concerned Citizen
Gombak, Kuala Lumpur

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.