KUALA LUMPUR: Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok clarified today that she had never opposed the halal certification.
Kok, who is currently being investigated over her comments on the matter, said she was merely responding to the proposal made by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar which would require all food establishments that do not serve pork or alcohol to obtain halal certification.
"I want to be clear that I have never opposed halal certification.
"When I was part of the Selangor state government and part of the cabinet I have always promoted halal certification," she told reporters after being questioned by police at Bukit Aman on Tuesday.
She said she had explained to investors that the halal certification in Malaysia was among the highest standards in the world.
"I told them that if they wanted to import anything or if they wanted halal certification to sell to other Islamic countries, they must come and invest in Malaysia and get the halal certification from here.
"I have a responsibility to voice out for the constituents and I only asked the government to study the proposal made by Mohd Na'im.
"I did not question the halal certification or the role of the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim), nor did I disrespect Islam," she said.
When asked, Kok said she had no opportunity to bring her views on the matter to the government privately.
She explained that she only asked for the proposal to be studied as it would spell trouble for small restaurant operators as the cost to receive halal certification was not only timely but also involved added costs.
Kok was represented by her lawyers Ramkarpal Singh and Syahredzan Johan. She spent about one and a half hours being questioned by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department D5 unit investigators.
Syahredzan said they cooperated fully with the investigations.
"She answered over 20 questions posed to her during the session.
"We were informed that the case is being investigated under Sections 298 and 505(b) of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act for wounding religious feelings, making statements conducive to public mischief and misuse of network facilities respectively," he said.
Several of Kok's party members also gathered outside Bukit Aman to support her.
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, Klang member of parliament, V. Ganabatirau, Bukit Bintang member of parliament Fong Kui Lun, Cheras member of parliament Tan Kok Wai, and Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran were among the politicians spotted.
Lim said he represented DAP as the party chairman in showing support and solidarity together with other members of parliament, assemblymen and party members over what was voiced by Kok.
"The party made a clear stand that she is innocent and had only done her duty by voicing her opinion based on concerns by several parties including her constituents.
"Our party secretary-general instructed the legal wing led by Ramkarpal and Syahredzan to ensure she gets full legal aid," he said, adding that the party will continue to stand together with Kok.