The Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) will not bow to strong-arm tactics used on its enforcement officers conducting checks at premises.

Referring to a recent incident in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, Jakim director-general Datuk Wan Muhammad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the action of Global Abattoir (M) Sdn Bhd in locking in its enforcement officers at the premises for three hours would not affect their seriousness in carrying out their duty.

He said Jakim officers were prepared to face any obstacle, even being locked in for 24 hours when carrying out enforcement work.

"Such strong-arm tactics will not dampen our spirits," he told reporters after meeting with Global Abattoir's marketing director Azrin Abd Ajib at his office in Putrajaya today.

In the recent incident at Global Abattoir, enforcement officers from Jakim and Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, as well as a few media representatives were locked in for three hours when the abattoir operator became annoyed with the taking of photographs of its operation and demanded that the images be erased if they wanted to be let out.

Abattoir apologises

On follow-up action on the abattoir, Wan Muhammad said its halal certificate had been suspended as its slaughtering method for chickens was questionable.

He said the company, however, could appeal against the suspension within two weeks.

On force used against the enforcement officers, he said he left it to the ministry to decide on what action to be taken against the company.

At the same press conference, Azrin apologised for the incident.

"It's not our policy to behave in a thuggish manner. But the company has a policy of not allowing photographs to be taken of its operations without a written approval. Only Jakim and the ministry are allowed to take pictures for audit purpose," he said.

- Bernama