DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stated that non-Muslim business operators should not be forced to apply for halal certification.
He clarified that the government has not made any decision to require all restaurants or businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) sector across the country to obtain halal certification.
“The issue of halal and haram has been ongoing for some time, and even non-Muslim restaurant operators have previously applied for halal certification.
“There has been no decision to mandate that all restaurants or any businesses in the F&B industry must secure 100% halal certification. No such decision has been made by the cabinet.
“This is why the Prime Minister asked the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to clarify the current status, proposals, and studies on this issue on Wednesday.
“Non-Muslims should not be forced to obtain halal certification,” Zahid said during his speech at the MIC Annual General Assembly, as reported by the media.
On September 6, Na’im had reportedly mentioned that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia was considering a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that did not serve pork or alcohol.
The issue sparked controversy when Seputeh MP Teresa Kok responded, stating that halal certification should remain voluntary, allowing operators to make decisions based on market demand rather than through compulsion. – September 15, 2024.
ARTICLE TWO
Halal certification report to be presented to Cabinet this Wednesday — minister
PUTRAJAYA (Sept 16): The report on the proposal for mandatory halal certification is nearing completion and is set to be presented to the Cabinet this Wednesday, according to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He said that a draft proposal to make halal certification mandatory for all food premises has also been prepared and will be presented at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
“Among areas that we will cover is related to the proposal to make halal preparation mandatory, because that will go through a rather lengthy process… Currently, we have a policy that halal certification is voluntary.
“We want to explore the possibility of making halal certification mandatory due to growing concerns among the Muslim community,” he told the media during the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration here on Monday.
Mohd Na’im added that if the initial proposal requires further discussion, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will engage with all relevant stakeholders.
He added that if the Cabinet approves the proposal, a comprehensive study will follow, including seeking the views of the Malay Rulers, as the issue pertains to religion, along with engagement sessions involving all relevant stakeholders.
He further clarified that input from various associations, restaurant operators, and other stakeholders will also be considered.
“Once the detailed study is completed and if the Cabinet agrees, we will prepare a proposal for submission. Simultaneously, a paper will be drafted for presentation to the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI).
“These two top authorities will ultimately decide whether the policy to mandate halal certification can be implemented,” he said.
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed Mohd Na’im to prepare a comprehensive report on the proposal for mandatory halal certification.
