Anwar: Seputeh MP's view on halal cert not Harapan stance

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that the Seputeh MP’s statement against a government proposal for pork and alcohol-free restaurants and food companies to obtain halal certification does not represent Pakatan Harapan's stance.

According to Berita Harian, Anwar said Teresa Kok’s statement on the matter has sparked an unnecessary and irrelevant controversy.

The premier advised political leaders to present suggestions or concerns about a matter in meetings so it could be thoroughly examined.

"There is a problem... regulations are necessary so that Muslims do not feel apprehensive.

"But if she (Kok) feels that the regulations are not necessary in a certain area, discuss it properly," he said when officiating the Rest and Recuperation Area (R&R) Seremban (southbound) today.

Yesterday, Kok said the proposed move has the potential to increase the burden on businesses, including thousands of Malay restaurant operators.

The DAP vice president added that it was against the spirit of cultural diversity and may make Malaysia an object of ridicule abroad.

“The introduction of compulsory halal certification will increase administrative costs. Halal certification should be voluntary, allowing entrepreneurs to make decisions based on market demand rather than being enforced, which will increase the difficulty of business operations,” she said.

Halal cert proposal

This came after the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was reported to be considering a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork and alcohol.

Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal subsequently told Kok to apologise and retract her statement, failing which the youth wings of Perikatan Nasional nationwide would lodge a police report against her.

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim criticised Bersatu Youth over the threat, saying that it is no different from Umno in running to the police over every disagreement.

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

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

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