Mandatory halal cert unsuitable for Muslim eateries: Umno ulama council

The proposal to make halal certification mandatory is unsuitable for restaurants and food companies owned by Muslims, said the Umno ulama council.

Its deputy chairperson, Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, emphasised that Muslims are already bound by religious principles concerning halal and haram, cleanliness, and purity. 

“The preparation of food by Muslims starts with purity, without doubt, unless proven otherwise,” he said in a statement on Facebook today.

However, Khairuddin added that halal certification for Muslim-owned restaurants and Muslim-manufactured products adds value and enhances the community’s confidence in visiting their restaurants and purchasing their products.

Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said that the government is mulling to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants that do not serve pork and alcohol.

The proposal sparked a debate after DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok argued that such measures would burden restaurateurs and may make Malaysia an object of ridicule abroad.

In response, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Kamal chided the Seputeh MP for not respecting Muslim values and demanded the veteran DAP politician apologise for her remarks.

Good for non-Muslim businesses

Khairuddin, however, supported mandatory halal certification for non-Muslim-owned businesses as it could eliminate doubts among Muslim customers and prevent accidental consumption of non-halal food.

“Moreover, making it mandatory would prevent Muslims from accidentally buying food that contains non-halal ingredients, which are openly sold in the market, and action can be taken against the operators,” he said.

He suggested restaurants serving non-halal food display clear notices to inform Muslim visitors so, citing recent cases involving six popular restaurants, including Johnny’s Restaurant and Black Canyon, which Jakim announced as lacking halal certification.

Khairuddin also praised the government’s efforts to shorten the halal certification process to 23 working days and reduce certification costs, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Oct 3 last year.

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