afternoon highlight (21/03/12/052/527) Halal certs only from Jais, Jakim

Halal certs only from Jais, Jakim

SIBU: The Government will only recognise halal certificates issued by the Sarawak Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).


“Halal certificates issued by all other organisations are not recognised,” Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman told reporters after inspecting work progress of the RM50mil Sarawak Islamic Complex here yesterday.


The project is undertaken by Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak.


Daud said if owners of food outlets could not comply with the requirements set by these two departments, they should not exhibit the halal logo at their outlets.

Satisfied: Daud (centre) inspecting the Sarawak Islamic Complex at Jalan Awang Ramli Amit in Sibu with Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak general manager Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Nailie (right) and architect Safri Mohamad (second from right).

He said the authorities would carry out inspection and checks at food outlets this year but would not take action against offenders yet.


The reason for this, he said, was because a grace period of one year would be given to educate operators and raise awareness of the issue.


Daud disclosed that out of the many eateries in the state, only 400 had halal certifications.


He also denied allegations that it was difficult to apply for the certificate.


“It is not difficult. We always assist food outlet owners to obtain these certificates, but they must first comply with basic requirements of the local authority and the Health Department,” Daud said.


He stressed that cleanliness of premises was top priority and food outlet owners must also comply with the use of the right ingredients.


Daud said authorities would not force operators to apply for the halal certificate but at the same, time they should not misuse the word “halal”.


It is understood that only about 10% of Muslim food outlets in the state have applied for the certificate.


About 75% of these applicants actually come from Chinese food outlets.


Meanwhile, Daud said the nine-storey office building at the Sarawak Islamic Complex here was 70% completed and should be operational by November, while a separate hall capable of accommodating 1,200 people would be ready by March next year.


He said the building had already achieved 100% occupancy as all spaces had been taken up, mostly by state government’s agencies.

Source : The Star           

Date : 21 March 2012  

afternoon highlight (21/03/12/052/527)

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