SEPUTEH MP Teresa Kok, who sparked controversy over her remarks on mandatory halal certification for restaurants and food businesses, said it was never her intention to oppose the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
Kok said she was only performing her duty as an elected lawmaker and denied being disrespectful towards Islam.
“I am not questioning our halal certification, Jakim or disrespecting Islamic rights. I have a responsibility to voice the concerns of our multiracial people.
“In fact, I have been consistent on this matter as I have often upheld the department’s standards for the certification as being ‘one of the highest in the world’,” Kok said after having her statement recorded by police in Bukit Aman.
She also responded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who had said it would be better for the DAP lawmaker to refrain from making unnecessary remarks.
Kok said she was not afforded the opportunity to discuss the matter internally as the proposal was brought up in an open forum by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
Na’im at a press conference during the International Conference on Family Law 2024 on September 5 raised a proposal for mandatory halal certification for food business, including for those that did not serve pork and alcohol.
Kok said making halal certification compulsory could be an added burden to businesses, besides impeding consumers’ freedom of choice.
She also said smaller businesses, including “thousands of Malay small restaurant entrepreneurs” would find it burdensome as the requirement would increase their administrative costs.
Several police reports were lodged against her while Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal urged Kok to retract her statements and accused the five-time MP of touching on 3R (race, religion and royalty) sensitivities.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh, called Kok “Nyonya tua” and said the government should paste a “non-halal logo” on her forehead.
Meanwhile, lawmakers Syahredzan Johan and Ramkarpal Singh, who were representing Kok, said the police took two hours to record her statement.
Syahredzan told reporters the investigation into Kok’s remarks was being conducted under Section 298 and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng said Kok’s statement on the halal certification should not be categorised as a 3R issue.
Lim said others had also commented on the matter, which was first raised by Na’im.
“This is not a 3R issue, as claimed by certain quarters,” Lim told reporters outside the Bukit Aman police headquarters.
“Individuals from all levels of society, whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim, have also expressed their views.”
Lim said Kok was merely carrying out her responsibility as an elected lawmaker tasked with voicing her constituents’ concerns.
“MPs should be given space to carry out their responsibilities entrusted to them by their voters.
“DAP will continue to stand with Kok,” Lim added. – September 10, 2024.
