Don’t force non-Muslim business operators to get halal certification, says Zahid

DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stated that non-Muslim business operators should not be forced to apply for halal certification.

He clarified that the government has not made any decision to require all restaurants or businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) sector across the country to obtain halal certification.

“The issue of halal and haram has been ongoing for some time, and even non-Muslim restaurant operators have previously applied for halal certification.

“There has been no decision to mandate that all restaurants or any businesses in the F&B industry must secure 100% halal certification. No such decision has been made by the cabinet.

“This is why the prime minister asked the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to clarify the current status, proposals, and studies on this issue on Wednesday.

“Non-Muslims should not be forced to obtain halal certification,” Zahid said during his speech at the MIC Annual General Assembly, as reported by the media.

On September 6, Na’im had reportedly mentioned that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia was considering a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that did not serve pork or alcohol.

The issue sparked controversy when Seputeh MP Teresa Kok responded, stating that halal certification should remain voluntary, allowing operators to make decisions based on market demand rather than through compulsion. – September 15, 2024.