Doesn’t Teresa Kok have every right to protect interest of non-Muslim F&B players affected by halal certification?

 

WHILE it is understandable for DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok to come under fire from opposition lawmakers for objecting to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (JAKIM) mooting of a mandatory halal certification for alcohol/pork-free eateries, the emotional condemnation of her by UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is grossly uncalled for.

While Kok voiced her opposition to the proposal brought forth by Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Na’im Mokhtar with decency and in a constructive manner, the rightist Akmal rebutted the six-term Sepueh MP by insulting her as Nyonya Tua (literally Old Lady) and “don’t you dare to touch our religion”.

“This halal certificate is not only for alcohol and pork but also encompasses the preparation of food and sourcing of resources… this certificate can now be obtained in as short a period as 23 days unlike months previously,” the Merlimau state assemblyman reacted in a Facebook video.

“So, what’s your problem with the halal certification? It doesn’t involve you if you don’t like it. Those who brought shame to the country are MPs like you, Nyonya Tua, who never cease to disrupt peace and harmony in the country?” he slammed Kok.

“If you’ve no clue whatsoever of our religion, it’s better for you to just shut your mouth … I further appeal to the government to prepare a ‘non-halal’ icon logo to stick on the forehead of the Nyonya Tua.”

While it has been an occulta intellectus (Latin for hidden understanding) for non-Muslim lawmakers to steer clear on matters pertaining to Islam or even Malay culture/ritual for that matter, the halal certification is a special case in that – as Kok rightly pointed out – has the potential to add financial burden on small non-Muslim food & beverage (F&B) operators.

Additionally, it also hinders consumers’ freedom of choice as well as being against the spirit of Malaysia’s cultural diversity not to mention the ensuing polemic will make Malaysia a laughing stock abroad, according to Kok.

Even if Kok could have left it to her Muslim comrades in DAP to take up the case, the UMNO Youth head honcho – touted as the “King of Boycott” at the height of the KK Super Mart Allah inscription on sock saga – has no right to disrespect a senior politician like Kok given the notion that UMNO itself is a component of the Madani government.

In fact, it would not be an overstatement that the behaviour of the Melaka state EXCO for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security C has somehow mirrored that of his Bersatu counterpart Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal who has demanded an apology from Kok as well as to retract her statement.

In fact, the Machang MP went a step further by threatening to lodge a police report against Kok for allegedly touching on sensitive issues pertaining to race, religion and royalty (3R).

Thankfully, Kok has found solace and supporter in none other than human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim’s who, too, opined that JAKIM has no authority to interfere with the rights of Muslim patrons to frequent/dine in non-Muslim-owned F&B premises.

In essence, she has this to tell the minister-in-charge:

I respect you Datuk Naim but I hope this is merely a matter of mulling and not for implementation for the bottom line is that we’re ourselves answerable in the grave to God if we wish to consume food deemed haram.

“Already there are too many self-professed gods in this world. Does JAKIM also want to play God as well? The proposal is absolutely ridiculous and outrageous.

“Pleases stop all these nonsenses. We’ve our own brain to think and we’ll do what is necessary to live in this world. How we’re going to fare in the next world is entirely up to us. Please leave us alone. Just stop all these nonsenses! – Focus Malaysia