SHAH ALAM: The fines under existing laws for any party guilty of misusing the halal logo are already high, says Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (pic).
He said the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011 stipulates that companies could face a fine of up to RM5mil, and individuals up to RM1mil or jail of up to three years, if found guilty.
"Any party that makes representations that could mislead Muslims in halal matters could be fined accordingly.
"...if we look at the law, the penalties are already high, and we hope this will be a deterrent for those who misuse the halal logo," he told reporters after officiating the National Young Entrepreneurs Programme at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here on Thursday (Jan 16).
Armizan said under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) 2011, companies guilty of misusing the halal label could be fined up to RM200,000 for the first offence and up to RM500,000 for subsequent violations.
Individuals could face a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both upon conviction, he said.
For subsequent offences, they face fines of up to RM250,000 or imprisonment for up to five years or both, he added.
He said the ministry would consider proposals that could contribute to the community's higher compliance regarding halal logo matters, adding that it will take an open approach in accepting any suggestions and discussing them in detail with the stakeholders.
He was referring to Federal Territories deputy mufti Jamali Mohd Adnan's suggestion for the ministry to work with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to review increasing fines imposed on those found violating the halal logo laws.
It was reported that the ministry opened an investigation paper on a sandwich bread factory in Sunway Damansara, Petaling Jaya for suspected misuse of the halal logo.
Ministry enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said on Monday (Jan 13) that the factory was being investigated for suspected violations of Paragraph 4(1) of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, which is an offence under Paragraph 8(a) of the Trade Descriptions Order (Certification and Marking of Halal) 2011. – Bernama
