Share to help stimulate good governance, ensure future of people & M’sia
No News Is Bad News
For image info, go to https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/malaysian-muslim-woman-takes-a-closer-look-at-a-food-sample-news-photo/1224246868?adppopup=true
Keep halal certification for Muslims only, period!
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec27, 2024: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming says local authorities cannot make halal certification a “must” (or mandatory) for business licence renewal.
So, Nga, what are you going to do about it if the Taliban-like PAS Kelantan government goes ahead with making halal certification mandatory for all food and beverage businesses next year?
Don’t just talk but not do anything about the halal controversy.
Al;so, why is Nga not raising the controversy as an infringment on the constitutional freedom and rights of peace-loving multiracial Malaysians who treasure harmony and national unity, not racial and religious bigotry.
Keep the halal certification only with Muslim businesses and eatery operators.
Muslims need not eat in non-Muslim eateries, period. Also, how do you certify non-Muslims who serve roast pork and pork Bak Kut Teh?
No News Is Bad News reproduces above a video clip on the issue, a news report below and our previous posting:
Councils can’t make halal certification a ‘must’ for licence renewal, says Nga
-27 Dec 2024, 04:11 PM
Minister says local authorities which enforce such a rule will be overstepping the Islamic development department’s jurisdiction.
Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said the Cabinet encourages businesses to apply for halal certification, but it is not mandatory.
PETALING JAYA: Local authorities are not allowed to impose mandatory halal certification on food and beverage operators as a condition for business licence renewal, says housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming.
Nga said local authorities imposing such conditions would be overstepping the jurisdiction of the Islamic development department, which is the main authority tasked with overseeing halal certification.
“The Cabinet decision states that the government encourages businesses to apply for halal certification, but it is not mandatory.
“Let me be clear – this cannot be enforced. We can only encourage halal certification.
“Therefore, local authorities must respect this and avoid action that contradicts the Cabinet’s decision as the nation’s highest executive body,” Sinar Harian quoted him as telling reporters after an event in Tambun, Perak, today.
He was commenting on the Kelantan government’s announcement yesterday that all food and beverage establishment owners in the state will soon be required to obtain halal certificates to renew their business licences.
Islamic development, dakwah, information and regional relations committee chairman Asri Mat Daud said the Kota Bharu Municipal Council will be the first to enforce this requirement.
Without specifying a timeline for its enforcement, Asri said other local councils in the state would implement the measure in the near future.
Nga said making halal certification compulsory for food operators would only increase operational difficulties and burden small businesses.
“For example, food stalls selling nasi lemak and banana fritters would have to bear additional costs just to meet the requirement for renewing their business licences,” he said.
Nga said renewal of halal certification involves annual audits that incur fees.
“Moreover, our country is multiracial, so we must also consider the needs of non-Malay operators who sell non-halal food,” he said.
Thursday, 26 December 2024
Is Kelantan forcing Islamic rules on to non-Muslims?
Share to help stimulate good governance, ensure future of people & M’sia
No News Is Bad News
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
-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.”
No comments:
Post a Comment