No compromising on halal integrity

 

The recent raid conducted in Puchong. -- PIC COURTESY OF POLICE

THERE are no compromises when it comes to the concept of halal for Muslims. It governs a Muslim's relationship with God, their spiritual salvation and moral existence.

The concept is encapsulated within the religion's five pillars of profession of faith, prayers, fasting, zakat and pilgrimage to Makkah.

For the pious, the concept of halal goes directly to the core of their Muslim identity. While halal usually refers to dietary requirements, it goes beyond livestock slaughter and dictates how Muslims live their lives.

Wealth, according to halal rites, must be free from mendacity, fraud, thievery or exploitation. Halal compels Muslims to constantly evaluate their careers, consumption and ethics to align with a divine purpose.

The same goes for handling livestock as animals must be treated compassionately before and during slaughter.

That is why Muslims nationwide reacted with shock at the seizure of 6.5 tonnes of raw chicken suspected of being processed without complying with halal certification standards at a Puchong slaughterhouse.

The thought that some of these birds were supplied to Muslim restaurants and eateries is sickening. The abattoir had operated for 20 years yet had evaded enforcement, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight.

Islamic law dictates an animal must be alive at the moment of slaughter, but the method used to stun the chickens — low-voltage water baths — was excessive, enough to kill them.

At a proper voltage, stunning knocks out but does not kill the chickens.

Police, religious authorities and regulatory bodies have scrambled to make this investigation a priority and have been quick to issue updates to the public, even if the investigation is ongoing.

In order to obtain clear answers, every party involved in the chicken processing chain must be identified. The need to trace distribution networks for affected suppliers and businesses is paramount, especially on detecting non-compliant chickens that entered the market.

Consumers and food operators must be given appropriate guidance while investigations continue.

If anything, these measures must be taken to reinstil confidence in Muslims wondering whether the chicken they're consuming is halal. This is a wake-up call on the enforcement of halal standards.

Halal certification, inspections and compliance must not be considered mere administrative exercises.

Effective monitoring must be carried out to identify those who compromise halal requirements, and they must be held accountable through stiff penalties. Above all, transparency is vital to prevent unnecessary panic, especially in an information vacuum.

In essence, halal integrity cannot be left in the slightest doubt and it requires the highest level of sensitivity in handling and communications. - NST

Anwar moved after being gifted photo of his first parliamentary election victory

 KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was deeply moved upon receiving an old photograph from a student from Alor Star which captured him celebrating his first electoral victory for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in 1982.

In a Facebook post, the prime minister shared that the photograph was presented by Zahra Mohamad Zelman, who approached him accompanied by her friends from SMK Sultanah Asma at the Parliament building today.

Anwar noted that the image captured a moment when he was being celebrated by Zahra's great-grandfather, the late Arshad Ahmad, following his win in the Permatang Pauh constituency.

"A single photograph, yet it holds so many memories and stories. It evokes a time which has long since passed, but the remembrance of the individuals who were once present who became part of this long journey of struggle remains etched deep within my heart," he wrote in the post.

During the encounter, Anwar encouraged Zahra and her friends to continue their pursuit of knowledge, to have the courage to harbour and pursue their aspirations, and to never cease in their efforts. He also offered prayers that their life journeys would always be made smooth. — BERNAMA

Education incentive payments to 2,504 senior teachers to end this month

 

The Education Ministry, in a statement today, also said it would pay outstanding ETPS payments to 1,356 senior subject teachers at secondary schools that have been upgraded to Grade A next year. - NSTP pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Education Incentive Payment Scheme (ETPS) payments to 2,504 senior subject teachers at secondary schools who are no longer eligible following the schools' regrading exercise will be discontinued from this month.

The Education Ministry, in a statement today, also said it would pay outstanding ETPS payments to 1,356 senior subject teachers at secondary schools that have been upgraded to Grade A next year.

It said that for the teachers who are no longer eligible, the ministry would implement adjustments to the ETPS repayment arrangements and ensure the process is managed prudently to avoid placing a financial burden on them.

"The ministry understands the concerns raised by the teachers regarding the ETPS following the school regrading exercise, which came into effect on Jan 11.

"The regrading exercise was carried out based on three criteria, namely student enrolment, the number of hostel residents and the level of education offered.

"Under the revised grading system, secondary schools are now classified as Grade A or Grade B. A total of 339 secondary schools were upgraded from Grade B to Grade A, while 626 secondary schools were downgraded from Grade A to Grade B," the ministry said.

Meanwhile, under the prevailing Public Service Remuneration System regulations, only senior subject teachers at Grade A secondary schools are eligible to receive the ETPS of RM120 per month.

The change in the grading status of secondary schools has directly affected 3,860 serving such teachers.

In this regard, the ministry held several engagement sessions with teachers' unions from March to July this year.

The statement added that during the sessions, the unions proposed submitting an appeal to the Public Service Department to allow Grade B secondary school senior subject teachers to qualify for the ETPS.

"Based on this proposal, the ministry submitted an appeal letter on Aug 13. However, in a letter dated Sept 23, the PSD informed the ministry that the appeal could not be considered," it said.

The ministry said it valued the contributions of senior subject teachers in overseeing subjects and improving schools' academic performance.

"The ministry is also committed to safeguarding teachers' welfare and will continue to work with all stakeholders, including unions and relevant agencies, to ensure the well-being of the teaching community," it said. - NST

Don't use religion as a political weapon, says Sabah Pakatan chief

 

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (pic) has reminded political parties not to exploit religious sentiment as a weapon to challenge opponents' strategies, following remarks linking parliamentary democracy as an institution to an end-times figure.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) expressed regret over a statement by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who likened the confidence and supply agreement (CSA) approach to "Dajjal" (false Messiah), stressing that such a label was highly unfamiliar and could confuse Muslims.

"When political arguments are no longer sufficient, must end-times terminology be turned into a weapon? The CSA can be debated rationally within the framework of parliamentary democracy without resorting to religious sentiment to discredit those with differing views," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 3).

He noted that the CSA approach had previously been adopted when PAS was part of the federal government, raising questions about the rationale for labelling the mechanism negatively.

Mustapha said diversity in religion, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds had long been central to uniting Sabah's multiracial society and should not be used to fuel animosity.

"For Sabahans, portraying fellow Muslims in such a negative light merely because they hold different political views is alien and unacceptable.

"Religion should unite, not divide and Sabah does not need to be lectured on unity by those who continue to label one another," he said.

He therefore called on all Sabahans to uphold the harmony they have long enjoyed and strongly reject divisive political practices that exploit religion for power, while urging all parties to find common ground in safeguarding the people's well-being. – Bernama

PAS tiada prinsip, hanya berpegang pada kemahuan berkuasa, bidas Syahredzan

 Ahli Parlimen Bangi persoal PAS puji MoU masa jadi kerajaan namun label CSA sebagai 'pendekatan dajal' bila berada di blok pembangkang.

Ahli Parlimen Bangi Syahredzan Johan, berkata PAS akan mengubah sifatnya kedudukan dalam blok politik. (Gambar Facebook)

PETALING JAYA:

Seorang Ahli Parlimen kerajaan membidas PAS tiada prinsip dan hanya berpegang kemahuan untuk berkuasa berkait pendirian parti itu mengenai perjanjian keyakinan dan pembekalan (CSA).

Awal hari ini, Presiden PAS Hadi Awang mengumpamakan CSA ditandatangani kerajaan dengan tujuh Ahli Parlimen pembangkang seperti penipuan dajal – ‘pembohong paling besar’, yang kemunculannya dianggap dalam Islam sebagai antara tanda besar semakin hampirnya Hari Kiamat.

Ahli Parlimen Bangi Syahredzan Johan mengimbau kembali situasi pada 2021, semasa pentadbiran bekas perdana menteri, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, apabila pembangkang memeterai memorandum persefahaman (MoU) bersama kerajaan.

“Masa itu, PAS menyambut baik. Malah, wakil PAS Takiyuddin Hassan terlibat sekali dalam penggubalan MoU tersebut.

“Asas MoU masa itu dan CSA zaman Anwar Ibrahim sama sahaja. Mengapa masa itu disambut baik, tetapi hari ini digelar sebagai ‘pendekatan dajal’?” katanya kepada FMT.

Mengulas lanjut, Syahredzan mempersoalkan sikap talam dua muka parti berkenaan yang disifatkannya berubah mengikut kedudukan dalam blok politik.

“Bila PAS dalam kerajaan, memasuki MoU untuk kestabilan politik boleh. Bila PAS jadi pembangkang, meterai CSA untuk kestabilan politik dicerca pula. Jelas bahawa PAS tiada prinsip, hanya berpegang pada kemahuan untuk berkuasa,” katanya.

CSA ditandatangani Presiden Bersatu Muhyiddin Yassin dan lima Ahli Parlimen Bersatu lain, serta Ahli Parlimen Muar daripada Muda Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, memberikan tujuh wakil rakyat itu akses peruntukan pembangunan kawasan Parlimen, yang telah diterima oleh Ahli Parlimen kerajaan sepanjang empat tahun lalu.

Ia turut merangka dua reformasi utama yang mesti dilaksanakan Putrajaya sebagai balasan kepada sokongan mereka – meletakkan had tempoh jawatan perdana menteri dan memisahkan peranan peguam negara dan pendakwa raya sebelum tamat penggal Parlimen.

Pada 13 Sept 2021, pentadbiran Ismail yang kekurangan majoriti Parlimen yang kukuh, telah menandatangani MoU dengan PH, yang ketika itu pembangkang.

Di bawah MoU itu, kerajaan bersetuju tidak membubarkan Parlimen sebelum 31 Julai 2022, manakala PH bersetuju menyokong atau berkecuali dalam pengundian Belanjawan 2022 dan rang undang-undang pembekalan serta tidak menyokong usul membawa undi tidak percaya. - FMT

Review continuity plans amid growing security threats, ministries told

 Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar says they must ensure essential government functions remain operational in the event of disruptions.

Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said ministries had been instructed to improve inter-agency coordination and information sharing, among others, to ensure swift reactions to threats. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

All government ministries and agencies have been directed to review their business continuity plans to ensure essential services can continue in the event of disruptions to critical infrastructure, says Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

He said the directive followed a meeting he held with all ministry secretaries-general and heads of service this afternoon, in line with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement in Parliament this morning on national security preparedness.

“This is so that essential government functions can continue in the event of any disruption to communications, energy and transport systems and other critical facilities,” he said in a Facebook post.

Shamsul said it was the government’s responsibility to assess all threats amid growing global uncertainty and conflicts and strengthen its preparedness against online threats, sabotage, disinformation and supply chain disruptions.

He said ministries had also been instructed to improve inter-agency coordination and information sharing, clarify each party’s responsibilities, and strengthen planning and response capabilities to ensure swift responses to threats.

“It must be emphasised that national sovereignty and security will not be compromised under any circumstances,” he said.

In a report released earlier today, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned that AI adoption by hostile actors is “highly likely” to increase the scale and efficiency of their operations within the next two years, including ransomware attacks, social engineering and exploitation of vulnerabilities.

NCSC CEO Richard Horne said new technologies are set to expose weaknesses in cybersecurity systems at “unprecedented speed and scale” in the years ahead and urged organisations to address underinvestment and strengthen their defences. - FMT

Indonesian police arrest 3 over alleged tapping of president’s phone

 Top detective Asep Safrudin identified the suspects by their initials, LSP, ASN and EH, saying they were being investigated for allegedly tapping the phone of president Prabowo Subianto.

Indonesian media believe Listyo Sigit Prabowo may be among the three suspects arrested over the alleged tapping of president Prabowo Subianto’s phone. (AFP pic)

JAKARTA:

Indonesian authorities have arrested three people for allegedly tapping president Prabowo Subianto’s phone, police said Tuesday, with media reports suggesting one of the suspects may be a senior official.

Prabowo, who took office in 2024, has come under increasing pressure for his government’s handling of the economy and destructive wildfires in the Southeast Asian archipelago.

Top detective Asep Safrudin identified the suspects only by their initials, LSP, ASN, and EH, and said they were under investigation for allegedly tapping “the telephone number of the president of the Republic of Indonesia” and other prominent figures.

The other alleged victims include government officials and politicians, journalists, NGO representatives and businesspeople.

Asep said numbers including Prabowo’s were “tapped without any legal basis or without any investigative or inquiry process in accordance with applicable laws”.

A police officer who became aware of the alleged crime filed a report on Friday, Asep told reporters in Jakarta.

Since then, police have examined 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses and seized evidence in the form of 11 mobile phones, an iPad and four flash drives.

If convicted, the suspects could face up to 10 years in prison.

In a separate news conference, justice minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra identified LSP as an active general.

Indonesian media said it was thought to be Listyo Sigit Prabowo – no relation to the president – who was appointed his chief of staff a month ago, after serving as national police chief for five years.

He holds the rank of general. - FMT