Na'im: Mandatory halal cert just a proposal, nothing decided
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar stressed that the proposal to mandate halal certification for eateries and food businesses not serving pork and alcohol was just a suggestion.
He also said no study has been conducted on the matter yet.
Touching on the controversy it created, Na’im said he made the remark after being asked by a reporter about halal certification who cited concerns among the Muslim community.
“The reporter asked whether Jakim (Islamic Development Department) has plans to...
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar stressed that the proposal to mandate halal certification for eateries and food businesses not serving pork and alcohol was just a suggestion.
He also said no study has been conducted on the matter yet.
Touching on the controversy it created, Na’im said he made the remark after being asked by a reporter about halal certification who cited concerns among the Muslim community.
“The reporter asked whether Jakim (Islamic Development Department) has plans to make it mandatory (halal certification) because it is now done purely on a voluntary basis.
“And when the reporter cited concerns from Muslims… on some restaurants not having the halal certification, I mentioned there is a proposal but it’s at an early stage.
“And I mentioned clearly that it has not been decided by the cabinet yet as the process itself is tedious. It involves engagement with stakeholders and Jakim has to meet restaurateurs and petty traders to analyse its impact,” he said, reiterating that it was merely an idea at this juncture.
Na’im said this to the media after attending a badminton tournament in Puchong earlier today.
Christians for Peace and Harmony in Malaysia Movement and a Muslim NGO, Global Unity Network jointly organised the programme.
Tussle between Kok, Akmal
Recently, DAP MP Teresa Kok came under police investigation following her remarks over the proposal to mandate halal certification for restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork and alcohol, saying it would burden businesses and could subject Malaysia to global ridicule.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh retaliated by calling her an “old Nyonya” who should not have interfered in Islamic affairs and said he would ask the government to prepare a “non-halal logo” to stick on her forehead.
After giving a statement to the police on Sept 10, Kok issued a letter of demand to Akmal a day later - seeking RM25 million in damages, to which the Umno leader replied: “Ok, Nyonya. We meet in court. No fear, no surrender.”
On that note, Na’im said he would present the proposal to the cabinet soon for further scrutiny.
“The prime minister wants to see how the proposal would help contribute to the economy,” he said.
Whether the cabinet would discuss Kok’s issue, Na’im replied in the negative.
Three days ago, Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the proposal and its findings would be presented at the cabinet next week.
