Getting halal certification will remain optional for Malaysia's eateries, said Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi on Sept 18, after controversy erupted over a plan to make the requirement compulsory for outlets that do not serve pork or alcohol.
"After deliberation, the Cabinet agreed to maintain status quo" for halal certification, Datuk Seri Zahid said in a statement to the media at the Global Halal Summit 2024 in Kuala Lumpur. For Malaysia's Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the issuance of halal certification has been voluntary since its introduction in 1974, he added.
The Muslim-majority country issues halal certificates, which guarantee that the supply chain and products of a business comply with Islamic law and are safe for Muslims' consumption, or halal. This includes ensuring that the products and premises are free of pork and alcohol, which are haram, or forbidden in Islam.
Some restaurants choose to be pork-free and alcohol-free to attract a wider clientele, but stop short of being certified as halal, a stringent process that can take months.
According to Jakim, which is in charge of the certification, businesses pay fees ranging from RM100 (S$30) to RM10,000 yearly, depending on the sector and ownership status.
It takes 30 days to process an application. But in reality, the waiting time can be far longer as applicants must ensure that all ingredients used are 100 per cent halal-certified, C&J Food Group managing director Oo Kok Cian, who has 10 years of experience in food safety and the halal consultancy business, told The Straits Times.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 19, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 19, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
NUS team discovers way to rejuvenate eggs of older women
Researchers' breakthrough could boost success of assisted reproductive tech
US senator slammed for saying Muslim advocate supports extremism
Republican Senator John Kennedy accused a leading Muslim civil rights advocate of supporting extremism during a Senate hearing on hate incidents in the US, drawing criticism from many rights groups.
Canadian PM shows no sign of stepping down despite election loss
Doubts about the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intensified after his ruling Liberal Party suffered a second humiliating loss in a special election, but the unpopular leader is determined to cling to office ahead of a looming national vote.
Golf – a refuge for US presidents but a headache for the Secret Service
Security risks abound on golf courses, with their wide-open spaces offering easy access
More women aged 50 and older having babies
The boundary of motherhood has shifted over the past few years as more women aged 50 and above are having babies.
Developers offered new incentives to use greener cooling solutions
Bonus floor space for those that build new district systems or tap existing ones
COE prices mostly higher; Open category premium hits $113,104
Certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums climbed across most categories on Sept 18, with the Open category recording the biggest rise to hit $113,104.
Turn phone or laptop into health screener with new software
A new software that analyses users' vital signs can turn any laptop or phone camera into a fullyfledged health screening device.
New Silkroutes ex-director gets jail for key role in market rigging
A former finance director of Singapore-listed New Silkroutes Group was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison on Sept 16 after pleading guilty to manipulating its share prices to allow its shares to be used as consideration for corporate deals.
Circle Line services hit again after fire in depot
Transport Correspondent For a second day, passengers on the Circle Line (CCL) had their journeys disrupted after several trains briefly lost power at about 8pm on Sept 18, stalling for about 15 minutes.