Business elements out to tarnish Jakim's halal certification, says Mujahid

Back in September, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa had said there was a movement trying to undermine the reputation of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) as the halal certification body.

At a press conference in Penang today, Mujahid identified the movement as consisting of "business elements" out to tarnish Jakim's reputation.

Mujahid said Jakim's halal certification process is reputed to be "the best" in the world, but some business interests are putting its reputation at risk.

"The claims of corruption in the certification process lacked specific details," the de facto Islamic Affairs minister told reporters.

"My ministry needs specific details to pursue the issue, the claims by a foreign news report had nothing substantial," he said.

On Oct 10, Hong Kong-based Asia Sentinel published an article entitled "Malaysia Halal Crisis" by Murray Hunter, which claimed that Jakim staff had integrity and competency issues in the halal certification process.

The following day, Bernama reported that the article, among other things, claimed that a Jakim officer had asked for payments to register meat processing premises, apart from being "arrogant and unhelpful".

Despite the lack of details, Mujahid said his ministry has launched an internal audit to probe the claims.

He has also invited the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to probe Jakim if the allegations had any basis.

"We have nothing to hide, we are transparent, but the details remained general rather than specific," Mujahid said.

Mujahid was officiating a symposium on wakaf (endowment) practises organised by the Penang Bar committee in Penang today. - Mkini