KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan is urging for a commission of inquiry to be set up to investigate the recent meat-smuggling scandal.
She said this is because the matter not only concerns halal certification issues, but also public safety.
“It cannot be buried. Health issues must be looked at,” the prominent lawyer posted on Twitter today.
“I think a commission of enquiry is warranted, and heads must roll,” she added.
Exactly right! That is why it cannot be buried. The health issues must he looked at. I think a Commission of Enquiry is warranted. And heads must roll. https://t.co/7CVwU3DO58
— Ambiga Sreenevasan (@Ambiga_S) December 30, 2020
Ambiga was responding to a post by another Twitter user, Alawiyah Yusoff, who had said that the meat cartel scandal must be looked at from the aspect of public health and whether the products were fit for human consumption.
“This whole issue is gross, disgusting, despicable, unethical, unconscionable and unforgivable. It is also a betrayal of the public trust, not only to the Muslims but to all Malaysians.
“Other than corruption, this is the ugliest of crimes. It's putting the rakyat's life at jeopardy, as we would not know the diseases the animals would have carried and if they are dangerous for consumption,” Alawiyah said.
It was reported last week that senior officers from four government agencies have been working with a cartel specialising in bringing non-certified meat into the country and passing it off as halal.
The officers had allegedly received money and, in some cases, women for sex, as bribes to turn a blind eye to the cartel, said to have been operating for more than 40 years.
Earlier today, two directors of meat supplier Raihanah Cold Storage Sdn Bhd pleaded not guilty at the Johor Baru sessions court for unauthorised use of the halal logo early this month.
Owner Rahman Sheikh Abdullah, 44, and director Raihanah Kasim, 42, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read out to the married couple in front of judge Mohamad Haldar Abdul Aziz. – The Vibes, December 30, 2020
