THE country’s halal certification system, respected worldwide for decades, has been under scrutiny in recent weeks.
The Islamic Development Malaysia Department (Jakim) is in the centre of a meat cartel controversy, as they are the authority in charge of issuing halal certification for food products. This is very unbecoming, as blaming is a defence mechanism that we use as a denial to preserve our sense of dignity and avoid awareness of any issue. The implementation of the halal certification is governed by the Trade Description Act and Orders, related thereto.
The Act empowers Jakim as the appropriate authority to issue the halal logo. This is rightly so, as an authority is required to guarantee that the products are genuinely halal and in compliance with shariah principles. However, the department can only carry out inspections to ensure compliance, with any infringement resulting only in the withdrawal of the halal certificate. Jakim cannot exercise enforcement power, as the main player under the Act is the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, with the department merely testifying as a witness.
Furthermore, the law does not impose an obligation that all food products must be marked with the halal logo. Traders and manufacturers apply for certification voluntarily. If they choose not to apply but opt to forge the cert instead, certainly Jakim should not be blamed. In the same way that we do not blame Bank Negara Malaysia for the forged currency floating around, so too must we not blame Jakim for the forged halal certification. Apart from the ministry, the blame equally lies on the Customs Department, Royal Malaysia Police and local authorities who have halal execution power in their by-laws.
The consumption of halal food is a fundamental right of all Muslims under the constitution, yet, as of today, our right to get halal food is not strictly guaranteed. The Malay Consultative Council should work towards that direction rather than admonish a Muslim authority, i.e. Jakim.
One unfortunate shortcoming of Jakim is its delayed reaction in setting the record straight. Unfortunately, the world is now forced to deal with this game of perception. Keeping quiet, a delayed response or failure to anticipate and manage negative perceptions may be a detriment to any organistaion.
This is not the first time Jakim has been put under scrutiny for matters that are not directly under its purview. In this case, however, Jakim must understand that the word “halal” in itself will pull them into the “fray”, regardless of their involvement.
Hence, Jakim should at least invest in an effective communications and perception management team, which will do them a lot of much deserved justice. – The Vibes, January 8, 2021
Datuk Shahrizan Mat Din reads The Vibes
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