Jakim welcomes proposal for QR code to detect non-halal meat

KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) welcomes the proposal from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) to use the Quick Response (QR) Code system at all entry points to detect non-halal meat.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said that the entry of meat from abroad is under the jurisdiction of KPDNHEP and even the standard operating procedure (SOP) comes under the ministry.

Jakim only provided approval for halal certification (to meat-importing companies) and it was in the midst of drafting improvements to the SOP and QR code, which have been listed for discussion, he said.

Two days ago, KPDNHEP Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid proposed the use of the QR Code system on imported products to address leakages at the country’s entry points and prevent recurrences of problems such as illegal meat syndicates.

Rosol said that the proposal was to make it easier for officers involved to detect meat or any other imported goods that entered the country without following the stipulated procedures, such as through airports and seaports.

He also added that the system will be able to reduce the workload of the country’s entry points’ enforcement agencies in the event of any misconduct regarding the entry of imported products. — Bernama