IPOH: The matter of halal certification is under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and all local governments are advised to respect this, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister was responding to a new regulation by the Kota Baru Municipal Council that food and beverage premises must obtain halal certification before renewing business licences with local authorities in Kelantan.
Nga said the Federal Government encourages businesses to apply for halal certification but does not insist on it.
"For example, a small food vendor selling nasi lemak may find the cost of obtaining and renewing halal certification, including annual audits, burdensome.
"For non-Muslim entrepreneurs, forcing them to apply for halal certification is impractical and unjust," he said to reporters after launching the ministry’s "Sentuhan Kejayaan" programme at the Tambun parliamentary service centre in Meru Raya here on Friday (Dec 27).
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On Thursday (Dec 26), Kelantan Islamic development, dakwah, information and regional relations committee chairman Mohd Asri Mat Daud said operators of food and beverage premises in Kelantan would be required to obtain halal certification before they could renew their business licences.
He said the Kota Baru Municipal Council would be the first local authority to enforce this requirement, which will be implemented by other districts in the near future.
Nga said it would be unhealthy if local councils start policing halal certification.
"I would like to say again that the government encourages F&B operators to apply for halal certification but does not or cannot force them to do so.
"All local governments must respect Jakim and ask for its advice to avoid any contradictions," he said.
Nga noted that Jakim's authority stemmed from a Cabinet decision and the Cabinet, as the body "with the highest executive powers", should also be respected.
Nga said the ministry had already received complaints from operators in Kelantan.
"They want to know how non-Muslims selling non-halal food are going to apply for the certificates.
"Is the Kelantan government telling them to 'close shop'? That would be a cruel act," he said.
