Cops to record Teresa Kok's statement over halal cert issue at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have recorded the statement of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok following her remarks on the proposal requiring all eateries that do not serve pork or alcohol to obtain halal certificates.
At around 9.50am yesterday, she was seen entering the Bukit Aman compound with her lawyer and Bangi MP, Syahredzan Johan.
A group of supporters led by DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng was also present.
Kok was seen leaving the Bukit Aman compound at around 11.50am.
Syahredzan said there has been no word of the police calling her back for additional statements, but that they would be informed if the need arises.
“There were no seizures of her handphone.
“The session took around an hour and a half. Police asked over 20 questions during the statement taking session.
“We were informed that the case is being investigated under Sections 298 and 505(b) of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, for wounding religious feelings, making statements conducive to public mischief and misuse of network facilities respectively,” he said.
Addressing the media, Kok said her statement was only aimed at the mandatory aspect of the suggestion.
When asked why she did not voice her concerns directly to the Prime Minister first, she said she did not have the opportunity to do so via “internal channels”.
Kok had voiced her opposition to the proposal requiring all eateries that do not serve pork or alcohol to obtain halal certificates.
She had said that this could be burdensome to small businesses and restrict consumer freedom.
On Sept 3, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said that to enforce mandatory halal certification, several Acts and laws would need to be amended.
He added that various agencies would need to be involved in ensuring compliance.
On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that as of then, five reports had been lodged over the issue.
Razarudin said several other witnesses would be called up, including representatives from the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia, to assist with the investigation.
