Ministry-Jakim discussion Feb 28
Published on: Monday, February 25, 2019
By: Hayati Dzulkifli
KOTA KINABALU: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) will hold a discussion with the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in Putrajaya on Feb 28 on halal issues, including concerns over the non-display of framed Quran texts and verses in restaurants.
KPDNHEP Sabah Director Georgie Abas (pic) said once a policy is set at the Ministry level, all interested parties, including the Sabah Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPIM), would be informed.
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He said this in response to a statement by DPIM Advisor Datuk Baisul Khan Salman Faris, which was published in Daily Express on Sunday.
Baisul was reported saying DPIM is shocked that members who operate restaurants have been forced to remove framed prayers (Holy Quran verses) from their premises due to lack of halal certificate.
Baisul was also reported saying that it is unfair of the KPDNHEP to insist that all Muslim shops have a halal certificate, saying getting such certificate is not easy due to so many processes which take a very long time.
Baisul issued the statement at a dialogue between DPIM and KPDNHEP Sabah office, Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains), Jakim, Sabah Health Ministry and City Hall at Wisma BTC, recently.
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Georgie said the Ministry has agreed to postpone its enforcement on the matter (non-display of framed Quran texts and verses) until the discussion between the Ministry and Jakim is held.
He also thanked DPIM for the initiative to organise the dialogue on halal food issues at Wisma BTC, officiated by Sabah Mufti Datuk Ustaz Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar, on Feb 20.
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“This is one example of good co-operation and strong ties between KPDNHEP and DPIM,” he said.
A total of 87 DPIM members attended the dialogue, with the briefing delivered by representatives from KPDNHEP, Jakim, City Hall, State Health Ministry, Jheains and Veterinary Services Department on their respective acts and regulations on halal certification and cleanliness aspect at food premises.
“We (KPDNHEP) welcome the DPIM initiative. It was timely following the issue in January in the peninsula involving a 24-hour restaurant that displays Al-Quran texts but having no halal certification.
“Subsequently, a nationwide integrated operation was conducted involving KPDNHEP, religious authorities, local authorities and the Health Ministry on restaurants that used halal words under Order 4 of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011 under Trade Descriptions Act 2011 from Jan 11 until 31.
“Such inspection was carried out on various food premises, including Indian Muslim restaurants, coffee shops and seafood restaurants, among others, based on each of the agencies’ respective jurisdictions,” he said.
Under the same integrated operation conducted last month for the same period, Georgie said KPDNHEP Sabah office together with Jheains, Jakim, local authorities and Health Department inspected 110 food premises from Jan 11 until 31.
He said the premises checked included Indian Muslim (Mamak) restaurants, Malay restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Nasi Campur restaurants, curry houses, seafood restaurants, Indonesian restaurants and Tom Yam restaurants, among others.
“As a result, two Indian Muslim restaurants here are being investigated by KPNHEP Sabah under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 for using halal words on their signboards and menu without having a halal certificate.
“We have checked with Jheains that has confirmed the two restaurants did not apply for halal certification for their food businesses.
“In any integrated operation, all enforcement personnel of KPDNHEP have been reminded to comply with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and thus the action of our personnel in asking food operators or owners to show their halal certification is one of the methods to determine whether the food in the premises have been certified halal.
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