PUBLIC complaints should not be the only trigger for inspections at premises such as slaughterhouses, says Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said regular inspections were needed to ensure such premises complied with regulations and required procedures.
“Regular inspections must be carried out so that we can ensure sensitive operations are conducted according to the procedures and requirements that have been set,” he said.
Amirudin said the relevant certifying authorities and local councils should also work together in monitoring such premises.
He said operators found to have breached requirements should face appropriate action, including prosecution where necessary.
“If firm action is warranted – including prosecution – then action should be taken based on the advice of the authorities,” he said when asked about the recent raid on a chicken slaughtering and processing plant in Kampung Sri Aman Hilir, Puchong.
More than 6.5 tonnes of chicken were seized during the operation, following suspected breaches of halal certification standards.
The premises was reported to have been operating for about 20 years and had the capacity to process more than 40,000 chickens a day.
Authorities were also reported to have found issues involving the electrical stunning process used before slaughter.
Amirudin said complaints and information received by the authorities remained useful, but should be complemented by periodic checks.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the symbolic handover of the Selangor Nutrition Programme (NutriSel and Mega NutriSel) at Sekolah Rendah Agama Integrasi Seksyen 19 in Shah Alam on Monday (Nov 2).
