Public Must Be Vigilant, Ensure Products Have Halal Cert - Zulkifli

NILAI, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan has advised Muslims, including food business operators, to remain vigilant and ensure that products they purchase or consume are certified halal by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

He said JAKIM’s halal certification is among the best in the world, urging the public to be confident in its standards.

“We leave it to the authorities to handle these issues (lack of halal certification). We advise the public to consider all aspects and sensitivities. InsyaAllah in Malaysia, we have citizens who are mindful of halal matters.

“The tabayyun (verifying information) principle is important so that we do not spread inaccurate information that could disrupt public order,” he told reporters after the ceremony to hand over appointment letters to 30 Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia’s (Yadim) Rakan Siswa (RSY) here today.

Media reports today cited that the Perak Customs Department seized more than 14,000 packages containing frozen chicken imported from China, bearing the JAKIM halal logo and the MeSTI (food safety) label, after an inspection was conducted on a container at Port Klang in Selangor on Aug 12.

In a separate development, Zulkifli said the MADANI Malaysia-Indonesia Intellectuals Dialogue (MALINDO MADANI) is expected to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, next year.

“Preliminary discussions have already taken place. Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has mentioned this idea in several countries, including in the Middle East. InsyaAllah, with the ongoing efforts, we will mainstream the MADANI concept worldwide,” he said.

MALINDO MADANI is a strategic initiative that convenes scholars, leaders of Islamic organisations, policymakers and community figures from Malaysia, Indonesia and countries in the region to discuss a civilisational agenda based on the values of Malaysia MADANI.  

On the RSY programme, Zulkifli said that the appointments are among the measures to sustain the da’wah movement in the country for youth and students, as well as efforts to support and empower the Malaysia MADANI agenda, which emphasises knowledge, well-being, and the development of a virtuous society.

He noted that to date, the RSY comprises 1,650 leaders from teacher training institutes, polytechnics, public and private higher education institutions, as well as four international leaders from Egypt, Jordan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

-- BERNAMA