PUTRAJAYA – No Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement officers are involved in the “meat cartel” recently busted in Senai, Johor, said enforcement director Datuk Iskandar Halim Sulaiman.
He said the import process is not under the ministry’s purview, and that no internal investigation is required in relation to the case.
The ministry is part of the probe into the illegal import of frozen meat because it involves the misuse of the halal and other labels used, he told reporters at an event in conjunction with his retirement yesterday.
“The investigations are not related to the halal certificate, but more of the use of the word ‘halal’ on (the labels on) the imported meat, whether permission was issued by the relevant authorities.”
He said the ministry’s enforcement officers nationwide have been ordered to investigate where the meat has been distributed to, and whether it has been resold to individuals or restaurants.
“The case is still under investigation to find out where the meat has been distributed to. This is being traced by the ministry’s officers based on invoices.
“If the meat is found to have been sold to restaurants and stored in chillers, it will be confiscated.”
Iskandar Halim goes on mandatory retirement today, having served the public for almost 40 years. He was appointed enforcement director last year. – Bernama, December 17, 2020
