Jakim Halal Officers Corrupt Show Proof Says Fuziah

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Jakim is the sole authority which issues ‘halal’ certificates to restaurants and other businesses. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: A deputy minister has demanded proof of corruption in the Islamic development corporation Jakim relating to halal certification, as alleged in a recent foreign news report
Fuziah Salleh, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the allegations, made in an article at the Asian Sentinel web site, were serious and could undermine the reputation of Jakim, which is the sole authority for halal certification
“Jakim maintains integrity in the matter involving the issuance of certificates and accreditation, which is part of its responsibility. However, if it is related to the development of the industry such as guiding entrepreneurs to obtain halal certificates, it is not under Jakim,” she told reporters after a constituency function in Kuantan, Bernama reported
Fuziah, who is MP for Kuantan, said the allegations could have been made with bad intentions, and called for evidence to be presented to Jakim so that it could take legal action if necessary
The article, ‘Malaysia Halal Crisis’ by Murray Hunter was published on Oct 10. It said there were integrity and competency issues in the Malaysian halal certification process
Among other allegations, the article said a Jakim officer had asked for payments for the purpose of registering meat processing premises. The officer was also arrogant and unhelpful, it said
Asia Sentinel said owners of small businesses and food and beverages managers had said that Jakim officials routinely requested cash payments above the statutory fees in order to guarantee registration
Municipal Councils and the fire department also requested extra cash payments to issue documents required by Jakim in halal applications. “According to one F&B manager, this practice is not just carried out by a few rogue officers. It appears endemic,” the article said
A Muslim Lebanese butcher from Australia, setting up a halal choice meat cut butchery in Kuala Lumpur, was asked for a RM50,000 payment for registration, the article said. As a result the investment in Malaysia was immediately aborted
Some business owners hired “consultants or brokers who don’t have technical or religious backgrounds” but who seemed to be “sleazy hustlers” who would “facilitate” the process”, according to the article
Those who complained found there were drastic consequences such as their operating licenses being suspended and being put out of business, the article said. - FMT

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