SHAH ALAM – The Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) has been slammed for not taking responsibility over the issue of the non-halal meat smuggling.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said considering the seriousness of the issue, Malaysians should not forgive those involved in the scandal.
“Yesterday, Jakim said the issue is not their business. But this is the most repulsive and abominable example of how the flesh and blood of Muslims can be violated.
“This is not just an issue involving the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry, but also Jakim. It is the one who give out the halal certification, so it must be similarly held responsible.
“I feel the Muslim community and Malaysians in general must not forgive these heinous acts (kecelakaan dan kesialan),” he said today.
Anwar said this in his speech at the launch of the 100 Arts and Literature Essays of the Reformation Era 2008-2011 here today.
The PKR president was commenting on Jakim’s Research Division senior director Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee’s statement yesterday that investigation into the meat smuggling issue was outside the jurisdiction and responsibility of the department.
He had said that Jakim’s role is to check whether slaughterhouse abroad comply with Islamic law in its processes.
The issue of smuggling of frozen kangaroo and horse meat by a cartel, before passing it off as beef by repackaging it using the halal logo, was exposed last week.
Many have slammed Jakim since, with the rakyat questioning the lack of response and clarification provided by the department since the matter became public.
Anwar also urged the government to show more political will in addressing the issue and not to leave any stone unturned.
“There must be political determination to provide immediate answers (to all the questions) and to punish all who are involved, especially for exploiting religion,” he said. – The Vibes, December 29, 2020
