IPOH: The Federal Territories Mufti today urged an academician to show proof over his claim that the country’s banknotes contained pig tallow.
He also urged the individual to lodge a police report on the matter before making unsubstantiated claims on social media platform.
Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said such an accusation was definitely a sensitive issue and as such required the authorities to look into it.
“Should there be any accusations on this matter, it is compulsory for the laboratory to review the matter thoroughly.
“It is better to know whether the accusation is correct or wrong. This matter relates to its halal status, which is under the purview of JAKIM (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) and research must be done thoroughly so that we can know for sure,” he said.
Zulkifli said this after attending state-level Rahmah Convention Programme at Dewan Saidina Abu Bakar, Institut Tadbiran Islam Perak (INTIM) here today.
He was commenting on a report by a news portal which quoted a lecturer who claimed that he had information that the country’s banknotes - the ringgit - was believed to contain pig tallow.
The lecturer claimed he received the information from the industry player who alleged that pig tallow was being used in the process of making of the banknotes.
Zulkifli believes that the government would take appropriate action in handling this matter.
“There must be evidence, and it must be verified by the appropriate authority. If possible, we should avoid any kind of statement that can make things worse,” he said.