The authorities conducted checks at 14 main premises selling mutton in the state and detected no sale of mutton mixed with beef or imported lamb, according to the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Office in Malacca.

Its head of enforcement, Jamil Buang, said the checks were conducted with the Veterinary Services Department in the districts of Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor Gajah.

It was found that mutton and beef were stored separately and the invoices were inspected to ensure that the meat came from legitimate suppliers, he said.

“The checks were conducted on the instruction of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob who had received complaints from the public,” he said.

Such irresponsible practice was tantamout to cheating in terms of price and quality and was a sensitive issue as far as Hindus were concerned, he told reporters at his office in Wisma Persekutuan, Ayer Keroh.

Jamil said his office would continue to monitor the situation from time to time because mutton is one of the items on the price control list for Deepavali for the period Oct 21 to 30.  

- Bernama