PETALING JAYA: Kelantan’s requirement for all food and beverage operators that serve Muslims to obtain halal certification before they renew their licences could impact the cash flow and livelihood of these businesses, says Kelantan MCA.
This is because the requirement could lead to delays in the licence renewal process since eateries, hotels and other premises that serve food could struggle to get the halal certification, said the party’s Kelantan chief Chua Hock Kuan (pic).
By mandating that even non- Muslim businesses comply, the ruling contradicts the Federal Government’s policy that halal certification is voluntary and infringes on the autonomy and rights of non-Muslims, he added.
“Restaurants that sell pork naturally do not need a halal certificate. The current issue is with non-Muslim operated restaurants that have Muslim customers.
“Even if they don’t have halal certificates, some of the food sold is made by local Muslims who may not have halal certification.
“How is the state government going to verify this? How long will the verification process take?” Chua questioned.
He plans to meet with the Kota Baru Municipal Council and Kelantan Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information, and Regional Relations committee chairman for clarification.
State government data shows that between January and December this year, 453 commercial premises in Kelantan obtained halal certification, averaging fewer than 40 per month.
“The close cooperation between Muslims and non-Muslims in business activities, especially in the food industry, has become the norm.
“This cooperation has effectively served as an ‘alternative’ halal certification, fostering mutual trust between different ethnic groups in Kelantan and forming the foundation for unity and harmony.
“The authorities’ mandatory approach will damage this foundation of mutual trust,” he added.
Chua said he respects the authorities’ efforts to promote halal certification, particularly for the Muslim community.
However, he suggested that the authorities should encourage rather than coerce more Muslim and non-Muslim businesses to apply for halal certification, considering their diverse market needs.
He also reminded the authorities that in promoting halal certification, they should ensure that the costs, procedures and processes to obtain them are not burdensome.
“Otherwise, it could harm the business-friendly environment and lead to livelihood issues,” he said.
Chua reiterated that while he respects the authorities’ religious policies for the Muslim community, they must also uphold the spirit of the Constitution to ensure that the rights and freedom of non-Muslims are not affected by those same policies.
Local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah reportedly said the decision was not made hastily, but was decided by the state executive council in 2016 and refined in 2020.
He explained that the move to make halal certification mandatory was initiated by the Kota Baru Municipal Council earlier this year to protect consumers in the state, 95% of whom are Malays.
Non-Muslim eateries that serve non-Muslims need not get a halal certificate and are still able to serve pork.
Despite advanced notice given to seven specific business categories in 2020, concerns remain over potential delays in licence renewal due to the complex certification process.
Kota Baru has the highest number of halal-certified businesses, with nearly 190 establishments, while other districts recorded six to seven certified premises each.
