Is 'PAS for All' dead, DAP duo asks after Kelantan new halal policy

Summary

• Two DAP leaders urge the PAS-led Kelantan government to respect the choices of F&B owners on whether to obtain a halal certification or otherwise.

• DAP National Publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching and DAP Central Executive Committee member Syahredzan Johan want the state government to stop the “highly discriminative” policy that directly marginalises non-Muslim businesses.

Two DAP leaders have urged the PAS-led Kelantan government to respect the choices of food and beverage business owners in the state, as well as their customers.

DAP National Publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching and DAP Central Executive Committee member Syahredzan Johan in a statement cited reports that F&B owners in Kelantan will be required to have halal certification as a pre-requisite for renewing their business licence.

“Stop implementing policies that will burden the small and medium-sized operators, and that alienate and exclude those who differ from them,” said the duo in a statement.

“Instead, the Kelantan government should just learn and adopt the approach taken by the Madani government.

“Or they should admit the ‘PAS for All’ slogan is officially dead,” they added.

Yesterday, Sinar Harian quoted Kelantan Islamic Development, Proselytisation, Information, and Public Relations executive councillor Mohd Asri Mat Daud as saying that the halal requirement is already being enforced by the Kota Bharu City Council and will be expanded to other local authorities in the state.

According to the report, Asri said 453 premises have been certified halal from January to December this year, of which 198 are in Kota Bharu and the other 255 are in other parts of Kelantan.

He added that nearly 80 percent of these businesses are Muslim-owned, while the rest are owned by non-Muslims.

‘Highly exclusionary and discriminative’

Teo and Syahredzan said the “highly exclusionary and discriminative” requirement has made a complete mockery of PAS’ Christmas greeting that highlighted how Malaysia’s cultural diversity added vibrancy and contributed towards fostering unity among the nation’s communities.

“This policy directly marginalises non-Muslim businesses, effectively banning traditional dishes like Bak Kut Teh, char siu and siu yuk (roast pork) from being served in Kota Bharu.

“Such actions disregard the rights and livelihoods of the non-Muslim community and erode the spirit of diversity of Malaysia,” they said.

In hitting out at PAS, the two MPs said the present state government’s policy is a sharp contrast with the inclusive leadership of the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who assured non-Muslim communities that their cultural practices, such as pig farming and selling, would be respected in Kelantan.

In September, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar mooted a similar move at the national level where restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork or alcohol would be required to obtain halal certification.

The issue sparked objections, citing the costs and stringent requirements for certification, as well as a controversy where critics accused Seputeh MP Teresa Kok of disrespecting Islam in highlighting issues related to the proposal.

The cabinet ultimately decided to maintain the status quo, where halal certification is voluntary and pledged to improve the certification process.

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