PETALING JAYA: A total of 6,555kg of raw chicken believed to have been processed without complying with halal requirements was seized while 12 foreign men were arrested in a raid on a warehouse in Puchong early Friday (Oct 30).
More alarmingly, inspections found that the chickens had allegedly been immersed in a hot-water bath until they died before being slaughtered.
Bukit Aman Wildlife Crime Control Bureau / Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) commander Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said the integrated operation, codenamed Ops Taring Chiller, was conducted at about 12.40am on Friday.
He said the premises was believed to have been used for slaughtering, processing and distributing fresh chicken without a valid halal certificate.
“The processing method, which allegedly causes the chickens to die before slaughter, raises serious concerns over compliance with Islamic law and halal certification requirements.
“Slaughtering procedures are among the key elements in determining the halal status of chicken products,” he said in a statement on Friday.
SAC Mohd Zaki said the 12 men, comprising Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, were believed to have been involved in slaughtering and processing chicken at the premises.
He said the seizure also involved 468 plastic packages containing raw chicken, weighing an estimated 6,555kg and worth about RM85,400.
“Initial investigations found that the premises were believed to have been operating for a long time, sourcing chicken supplies from several farms around Sungai Sepat, Sungai Pelek and Sepang.
“The processed chicken was then believed to have been distributed to customers, including eateries, grocery shops and supermarkets in Damansara, Bangi, Puchong, Cheras, Putra Perdana and Putrajaya, as well as other areas in the Klang Valley,” he said.
He said further investigations were underway to identify the entire supply and distribution network, including the actual volume of chicken processed daily and other parties involved.
Ops Taring Chiller was conducted by the WCB/PSK under Bukit Aman’s Internal Security and Public Order Department, in collaboration with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Selangor Environment Department (DOE) and Petaling District Health Office.
SAC Mohd Zaki said JAIS had taken action under Sections 3(1)(a) and 4(1) of the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011.
Selangor DOE also issued a notice to detain operational equipment under Section 38(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, while the Petaling District Health Office issued a cleaning notice under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 following non-compliance with food hygiene and handling requirements.
He said police had also taken action against all 12 individuals under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
All the seized chicken was temporarily placed at the JAIS office in Shah Alam for further action.
