KOTA BARU: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will tighten the enforcement and the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the issuance of halal certification for all imported products, including meat, from abroad.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said this was to ensure that Malaysians, particularly Muslims, could obtain halal meat from reliable sources that follow Islamic teachings.
"The government, particularly Jakim, will continue to improve the SOP (for halal certification) and monitor the process for compliance. If we have to, we will also increase our (Jakim) manpower," he said after attending a circumcision event at Dewan Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam, near here today.
Earlier this month, the authorities raided a meat smuggling cartel in Senai, Johor, and seized 1,500 tonnes of frozen meat worth RM30 mil.
The media also reported that meat smuggling cartel also brought in frozen kangaroo and horse meat from certain countries and passed them off as beef, by repackaging the meat using fake halal logo, before selling the products to supermarkets across Malaysia.
Ahmad Marzuk said Jakim would step up collaboration with the relevant agencies including the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to resolve the issue. – Bernama