Non-Muslim businesses cannot be forced to obtain halal certs, says Zahid

 

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he understands the concerns of certain quarters as he was once the Islamic affairs minister.

SHAH ALAM: 

Non-Muslim business operators cannot be forced to obtain halal certification, says deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid said he understood the concerns being raised as he was once the Islamic affairs minister.

Islam says, your religion is for you, my religion is for me. It means that for other religions to respect yours, you must respect theirs,

 he said at the MIC annual general assembly today.

He also clarified that no decision has been made to mandate halal certification for food establishments, and that the Cabinet will discuss the matter at its meeting on Wednesday.

The question of halal and haram has long been a part of this country. Some non-Muslim business owners already voluntarily seek halal certification, but no decision has been made to make it mandatory for all restaurants nationwide,

 he said.

That’s why the prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) has tasked the religious affairs minister, Na’im Mokhtar, to provide an update on the status of the proposal during Wednesday’s meeting.

Last week, Na’im said the Islamic development department (Jakim) was considering a proposal for halal certification to be made mandatory for eateries that do not serve pork and alcohol, adding that it was currently being done voluntarily.

In response, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok called for halal certification to remain voluntary, saying the government should allow business operators to decide based on market demand rather than forcing them as it would add to the cost of doing business.

Her remarks irked several parties, including Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, while Anwar distanced himself from Kok, saying her views were personal and not that of Pakatan Harapan.

Yesterday, Na’im advised against unnecessary disputes over the proposal, stressing that it was still in the early stages of consideration. - FMT