Puchong slaughterhouse not under Jakim's halal monitoring, says Zulkifli

 

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan. Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR: A chicken slaughterhouse suspected of operating without local authority permits was not listed in the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim)'s monitoring records because it did not have halal certification.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said preliminary inspections found that the premises in Puchong was also processing and distributing fresh chicken without the necessary approvals.

"Jakim views this issue seriously as it involves Syariah compliance, hygiene, and public confidence in the halal status of chicken in the market.

"All operational and sales records of this premises are not in the halal certification monitoring records of Jakim or the respective State Islamic Religious Departments," he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said halal certification authority in Malaysia is governed under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 through the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011.

In addition, a slaughterhouse scheme was introduced to enable operators to apply for the halal certification ensuring slaughtering and animal handling comply with Syariah principles and halal certification requirements.

Zulkifli said Jakim, together with State Islamic Religious Departments and State Islamic Religious Councils, enforces oversight through halal certification, audits, and monitoring of premises that hold the halal certification.

He said audits cover animal sources, qualifications of slaughterers and halal supervisors, stunning methods, slaughtering processes, hygiene, product handling, and halal management systems.

However, as halal certification in Malaysia is voluntary, he noted that regulating all slaughterhouses requires cross-agency cooperation with local authorities, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, and other enforcement agencies according to their respective jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said Jakim continues to intensify joint inspections, intelligence sharing, and investigations into complaints to protect consumer interests and preserve the integrity of the halal poultry supply chain.

For products or premises suspected of using misleading halal logos or statements, Jakim collaborates with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry and relevant agencies to conduct verification and investigations.

"Stationing halal supervisors at abattoirs is a mandatory condition for any slaughterhouse applying for the Malaysian Halal Certification," he said.

Zulkifli said Jakim had taken action in several past cases, including issuing compounds totalling RM40,000 against three companies for regulatory non-compliance.

On Oct 30, more than 6.5 tonnes of raw chicken, which was processed without complying with Syariah slaughtering regulations and halal requirements, were seized during a raid on a warehouse in Puchong, Selangor.

Twelve Bangladeshi and Pakistani men, believed to be involved in slaughtering and processing chicken at the premises, were also detained during the operation, codenamed Ops Taring Chiller. - NST