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Meat cartel scandal: Jakim slammed for 'negligence'

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Consultative Council (MPM) has called for a major reshuffling of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) over its perceived failure to protect Muslim consumers in guaranteeing the distribution of halal meat in the country.

The council's Performance Management & Delivery Unit (Pemandu) committee chairman Tun Hanif Omar said the department should relieve itself from its role in handling the issuance of halal certificates.

Saying that Jakim should face action for its "negligence", Hanif said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) should also face similar action for its alleged failure to improve the local ruminant industry.

Hanif said the government should consider reactivating the Malaysia Halal Council (MHM), which was abolished during the previous administration.

"The new halal certificates (should MHM be revived), should be equipped with block-chain certification or colour coded certification that has details of certificate holders, content of approval and reports of their current performance. In the meantime, all issuance of halal certificates should be suspended.

"At the same time, MajuTernak should be re-established as a corporation and collaborate with the DVS in developing the sector swiftly," he said in a press conference today.

He said MHM should set up a special task force consisting of various government agencies, namely officials from the Islamic Religious Affairs division under the Prime Minister's Department; the states' Islamic councils, Economic Planning Unit and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU); Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC); Customs Department; Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry; and police; as well as representatives from non-governmental organisations.

He said the council would also submit its recommendations and seek the wisdom of the Conference of Rulers to compel the establishment of a special court for corruption and stiffer penalties to offenders, which would include heavy community service, and even stripping them of citizenship and banishment from the country.

"The actions of these culprits is a 'cancer' to the country and thus they must be isolated from society.

"The action by the Conference of Rulers would be in accordance with a state of emergency order, as it would take some time for this matter to be brought to Parliament," said Hanif, who is also MPM's advisory board member.

Hanif, who is also a former Inspector-General of Police, lamented the fact that the problem stemmed from widespread corruption, delivery system failure, a questionable halal certification issuance process and failure of the livestock industry.

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