Sixty percent of the 179 Oldtown White Coffee franchise restaurants in peninsular Malaysia have obtained halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim), said Oldtown Berhad chairperson Dr Ahmed Tasir Lope Pihie.      

In a statement in Kuala Lumpur today, he said the rest of the restaurants were awaiting the approval of their applications and the whole exercise was expected to be completed by the end of this year.    

“Oldtown White Coffee does not serve non-halal food or alcohol. All our suppliers are also certified halal by Jakim and are required to produce a valid halal certificate for each product they supply,” he said.    

Ahmed Tasir said the restaurants always complied with Jakim’s guidelines on the preparation of food and beverage to Muslim customers.   

“And there are two local Muslim staff during every shift in the restaurants, as required by Jakim,” he added.    

He also emphasised that the company was not associated with any political parties as it was listed on the Main Board of Bursa Saham Malaysia.  

Meanwhile, Jakim’s Halal Hub director, Hakimah Mohd Yusoff , confirmed the matter when contacted by Bernama and said the rest of the restaurants’ applications were still under process.   

A part of the applications were pending the company’s compliance in terms of Jakim’s standards and procedures, she added.    

- Bernama