McDonald's halal-cake policy should not extend to Sabah, says minister

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah minister wants McDonald's Malaysia to emulate its Miri outlets by doing away with a policy requiring only halal-certified cakes into its premises.  

Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang, who is also Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, hoped the state government would instruct McDonald’s against implementing the non-halal cake ban policy as soon as possible.

He said McDonald’s outlets in Peninsular Malaysia have been instructed by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to prohibit cakes without halal certification to be brought into its establishments.

Teo, however, pointed out that the ban was incompatible with the multiracial and multi-religious community in Sabah.

He explained that Sabahans of different racial and religious backgrounds have always been living harmoniously.

Teo said Sabahans respected the religious beliefs and taboos of others, and would not deliberately overstep religious boundaries.

“Hence, McDonald’s outlets in Sabah need not implement its latest policy on allowing only halal-certified cakes inside its premises to prevent negative repercussions on racial amity.

“McDonald’s headquarters should instruct its outlets in Sabah that they need not enforce the ban on non-halal cakes inside its fast food chains.

“The state government can also emulate the Sarawak government in instructing McDonald’s outlets in Sabah to do away with the policy,” he said in a statement Friday.

Teo also denounced the increasingly religious extremism in Malaysia, and urged the Federal Government agencies to take cognisance of the racial and cultural diversity in the country when formulating policies.

“All policies should reflect the 1Malaysia spirit,” he said.

Teo said policies such as the non-halal cake ban would polarise society and undermine unity among the people.

“Moreover, there has not been any problems before the ban came into effect,” he said.

Last week, McDonald’s confirmed that it had implemented a policy barring customers from bringing cakes without halal certification onto its premises, saying that this was a requirement by Jakim.  

McDonald’s outlets in Miri took down the notices on the halal-certified cakes after receiving a directive from the head office Thursday.