Amid growing concerns over the misuse of halal certification, Malaysian authorities have taken decisive actions following recent controversies involving food products and religious sensitivities. The issues arose when a ham and cheese sandwich sold at KK Mart was found to lack proper halal certification, prompting widespread outrage. Additionally, the sale of socks printed with the word "Allah" at select convenience stores during Ramadan last year has led to further scrutiny and calls for accountability.
KK Super Mart conducted inspections and discovered only three stores that stocked the controversial socks, amounting to a total of 14 pairs. This incident, occurring during the holy month of Ramadan, has reignited discussions about what constitutes acceptable practices regarding halal products and the potential exploitation of religious sentiments for commercial gain.
In response to these issues, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the Malaysian king, has called for stern measures against those responsible for the socks. His remarks underline the seriousness with which the Malaysian monarchy views the protection of religious values. Concurrently, KK Mart has suspended all business dealings with Shake and Bake Cafe, the supplier of the contentious ham and cheese sandwich, which bore a halal logo but lacked the official SPHM halal certification.
Universiti Malaya (UM) also took significant action by ordering the immediate closure of two 24-hour KK Mart outlets on its campus amid allegations concerning the misuse of the halal logo. UM stated its commitment to ensuring that all products sold on campus are sourced from suppliers that comply with the required regulations. This decision reflects a growing concern about maintaining integrity in food labeling and halal certification.
The ham and cheese sandwich sold at KK Mart was found to be misleading. The product did not possess the official halal certification, despite displaying a halal logo, which raised serious questions about its authenticity. Shake and Bake Cafe, the producer of the product, does not hold the necessary SPHM halal certification. According to Malaysia's Domestic Halal Certification Procedure Manual, product names must not refer to non-halal items or use misleading terms such as "ham."
Typically, halal-certified ham products are labeled as "chicken ham" or "turkey ham" to avoid confusion. The manual emphasizes that clarity in product naming is essential for obtaining halal certification. Consequently, KK Mart has filed a police report against Shake and Bake Cafe regarding this matter.
In an effort to address these allegations, the Islamic Development Department and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living conducted a raid on Shake and Bake Cafe's factory. The police have confirmed that students from Universiti Malaya filed a report expressing doubts about the halal status of the sandwich sold at KK Mart.
Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na'im Mokhtar has taken a firm stance on this issue, urging enforcement against those who misuse halal logos on food products. He stated, “The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) would like to warn all parties not to misuse the halal logo label on any product produced.”
Na'im emphasized that there would be no compromise on matters involving public integrity and interest. He further urged all parties to consult Jakim and state Islamic religious authorities on halal-related issues.
KK Mart has defended itself by claiming that Shake and Bake Cafe provided a halal certificate for the chicken ham and cheese layers used in their products. They stated, “The (halal) labeling was done by Shake and Bake Cafe.” However, they have also expressed their commitment to safety and trust for their customers: “To safeguard the trust and safety of our customers, full cooperation will be provided to ensure strict action is taken against any party that undermines the confidence and well-being of our customers.”
Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood, representing Jakim, confirmed that investigations into the allegations have been initiated. He stated, “The case has been directed to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to take further actions.”
Universiti Malaya’s directive to close the KK Mart outlets until further notice was issued to ensure that investigations into these allegations could proceed without interference. Muhammad Akmal Saleh, a concerned student, remarked on the broader implications of these incidents: “It is not the first time this has happened; we have had enough of these insults to our religion.” He also noted that “Old wounds regarding the ‘Allah’ socks controversy have yet to heal,” highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding religious sensitivities in Malaysia.
As these incidents unfold, there are calls for greater vigilance in monitoring halal practices within Malaysia’s food industry. Politicians are being reminded not to exploit such controversies for political leverage. Wee Jeck Seng cautioned against using these situations to score political mileage, stating that it would only exacerbate divisiveness in society.
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