DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has defended Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over her comments on a government proposal to require restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork and alcohol to obtain halal certification.
Loke said Kok’s statement simply reflected the concerns of the non-Muslim community, particularly restaurant owners who were worried that their businesses would also be subject to the proposed requirement.
“As an MP, she has the responsibility to express views that may be obtained from her voters.
“That’s why she expressed such concern. What was raised was a concern from the community, especially the non-Muslim community,” Sinar Harian reported Loke as saying at a press conference after officiating the 20th Perak DAP Ordinary Convention at the Ipoh Convention Center on Sunday.
Loke said the proposal to make halal certification mandatory has not yet been brought up for cabinet consideration.
The matter would involve amendments to some laws once it is at the decision stage, he added.
“It is common in our country that many issues are controversial. This may be from leaders who are not sitting in the government.
“While those of us who are in the government certainly want to discuss and resolve it at the government level through the cabinet,” he said.
Yesterday, Kok said the proposed move has the potential to increase the burden on businesses, including thousands of Malay restaurant operators.
She said it is 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.
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.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Kok’s statement was not reflective of Pakatan Harapan’s position and that the matter should be discussed in the appropriate forum.
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. – Malaysiakini
Earlier report:
Sept 7, Wan Fayhsal threatens police report over Teresa Kok’s halal cert remarks