City folk interviewed by Malaysiakini are split in their views on popular fast food chain McDonald's rule to only allow halal-certified birthday cakes

While some question the practicality of imposing such a ruling, many said Malaysians were free to choose where to have their birthday parties if they disagree with the ruling.

Zamzuri Ismail, 29, said McDonald’s had been “considerate enough” to allow patrons to bring birthday cakes from outside as long as they are certified halal.

“Is it so hard to follow? If you are not happy with this, then just have birthday parties at other venues,” the mechanical engineer said.

Agreeing with this, 31-year-old Mariah Kasmira Hamidi said McDonald’s has the right to decide its own business policies.

“It’s their policy not to allow outside food to be brought in, so allowing cakes from outside is good enough,” she said.

Mariah also questioned the fuss as McDonald’s Malaysia is a halal-certified entity.

“No one makes noise over this but when the cake has to be halal-certified it becomes an issue.

“If you don’t like this then don’t go to McDonald’s, it’s simple, isn’t it?” the homemaker said.

'Blame Jakim'

For Chris Ooi, 37, if there was anyone that needed to be blamed, it was the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and not McDonald’s.

“McDonald’s only wants to maintain its halal certification by ensuring that all food consumed at its premises are halal.

“So don’t make things difficult - just find another place to have a birthday party if you are unhappy with this.”

Perplexed over the furore, Ooi said most cakes are halal anyway.

“So just bring halal cakes. Get them from Secret Recipe which is halal certified, or something,” added Ooi.

Praveena Raj, on the other hand, suggested that McDonald’s impose a total no outside food policy.

“Simply make sure that not even cakes are allowed in. McDonald’s should just sell its own cakes,” she said.

McDonald’s, under its McCafe menu, sells blueberry cheesecake and chocolate brownie as part of its selection of pastries and cakes.

'Blown out of proportion'

Syarafina Reduan, 25, disagrees with the policy to only allow halal-certified cakes.

The post-graduate student said this is because she believes non-Muslims should be given the choice to consume non-halal cakes if they wanted to.

She, however, said the issue had been blown out proportion.

“How many people actually celebrate birthday parties at McDonald’s, anyway?" she asked.

“Those who are making noise online has never and I think would never celebrate their birthdays at McDonald’s."

Business owner Vernon Lee, however, questioned how McDonald's would ensure if a cake is halal-certified.

"Is McDonald’s going to ask patrons whether the cake is halal certified or not and ask for the halal certification?” he queried.

McDonald’s may have insisted that it never meant to discriminate anyone on this issue, but Lee is of the belief that some form of discrimination would still occur.

“If a Muslim brings the cake, McDonald’s will just assume that it’s halal but for non-Muslims, the cakes they bring would be presumed non-halal,” he said.

Home bakers affected

Christopher Phillip, 45, said he respected McDonald’s policy but also believes that the fast food chain should think about the country’s other races, too.

“There should be give and take in this issue. All sensitivities should be taken into account,” he said.

Phillip is also concerned that the ruling would be a hassle for many.

Other than questioning how a particular cake would be proven halal, he wants to know whether homemade cakes would be allowed to be consumed at McDonald’s.

“What if the cake is from a Muslim baker but it simply doesn’t have halal certification?” he queried.

This includes cakes baked by Siddique Rahman's wife, who sells made-to-order deserts.

“My wife sells cakes through her followers on Instagram. Must she then apply for Jakim certification?" he said.

The 50-year-old said this would affect his wife's home business as those wanting to bring cakes to McDonald's will now buy from bigger establishments which are halal-certified.

Seasonal boycott

Meanwhile, on the issue of boycott which was mooted by angry netizens, Siddique said such boycotts are seasonal.

“Malaysians will say they boycott something but after some time, they will still go back to buying or using a particular product or service,” he said.

After the issue came to light, McDonald’s offered its apology over the misunderstanding and insisted that it had always maintained a “no outside food policy” but made exceptions for birthday cakes.

"However, in order to maintain our halal status, we have to ensure that all products consumed in our restaurants are halal certified as required by Jakim,” the fast food chain said.

Despite the apology, upset netizens branded McDonald's racist while others called for a boycott.

Minister in charge of Islamic affairs Jamil Khir Baharom earlier explained that a food item is not necessarily haram (forbiddin in Islam) if it does not have halal certification.

Halal certification is not compulsory for food producers and sellers, but bigger businesses opt to go through the costly and stringent certiciation process to attract Muslim customers.