Is Kelantan forcing Islamic rules on to non-Muslims?

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Is Kelantan forcing Islamic rules on to non-Muslims?

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26, 2024: A Free Malaysia Today news report titled Kelantan to make halal cert mandatory for F&B businesses is so unclear and worrying to multiracial Malaysians.

As the report stands, it does look like the mandatory covers all food and business owners.

If so, then it is a gross infringement on the constitutional rights and freedom of multiracial Malaysians and non-Muslims.

It is, therefore, time for non-Muslim businesses to take the matter to court and sue the Kelantan govcernment and all related agencies:

No News Is Bad News reproduces below the news report:

Kelantan to make halal cert mandatory for F&B businesses

FMT Reporters

-26 Dec 2024, 02:27 PM

Exco member Asri Mat Daud says all food and beverage business owners will soon need it to renew their business licences.

A total of 453 halal certificates have been issued to businesses in Kelantan, including hotels, pharmacies and hair salons, this year.

PETALING JAYA: All food and beverage establishment owners in Kelantan will soon be required to obtain a halal certificate to renew their business licences, the state government said today.

Asri Mat Daud, the state chairman for the Islamic development, dakwah, information and regional relations committee, said the Kota Bharu Municipal Council will be the first to enforce this requirement.

“God willing, other local councils (in the state) will follow suit and implement this (rule) in the near future,” he was quoted as saying in an Utusan Malaysia report.

The exact timeline for enforcement across the state has not yet been specified.

Since 1974, halal certification has been voluntary at the federal level.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said halal certification would only be required for companies willing to comply with all the relevant requirements, standards and regulations.

Asri said 453 premises, including hotels, pharmacies and hair salons, had been awarded halal certificates from January till this month across Kelantan.

Of these, 405 are owned by Malays and 48 by non-Muslims.

“To obtain the halal certificate, businesses must meet eight specific criteria. It’s not just about food and beverages; it also covers the kitchen area and the use of halal ingredients and products,” he said.

“We conduct (surprise) inspections at these premises in collaboration with the Kelantan Islamic affairs department, the Islamic development department, the health ministry, the domestic trade and cost of living ministry, and local authorities.”