The recent news of four Indian restaurants in Petaling Jaya selling mutton dishes that were not actually mutton has been alarming to PJ residents at large, especially the Hindu community, who do not consume beef due to religious reasons. This shocking news has been viral on several WhatsApp groups, and even I myself have received it many times from different residents in the last 24 hours.

Considering that an analysis by the Chemistry Department is necessary for the prosecution of violators, we need to have a Jabatan Kimia which can revert swiftly whenever local councils within and outside of Selangor sends in samples for testing or analysis.

Ismail Talib, the director-general of the Chemistry Department, and YB Wilfred Madius Tangau, the minister in charge, must take responsibility and take this matter seriously. There is a desperate need to improve turnaround time, especially in cases involving public concern, such as this.

Analysis sent by local councils for offences under the Food Act must be done immediately to ensure the safety of the public, and subsequent results returned back formally to the said local council within 24 hours for further action.

In the same breath, I would also ask that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) expedite its action on the four restaurants allegedly selling other meat labelled as mutton. This is a grave accusation which will hang over the restaurant industry if not rectified. It has and will continue to affect other restaurants that are innocent due to ambiguity of which restaurants are part of the four.

Moving forward, I hope that MBPJ and other local councils can continue to proactively conduct such inspections from time to time. And act very swiftly when any violations are discovered in the interest of innocent consumers.

RAJIV RISHYAKARAN is the state assemblyperson for Bukit Gasing.