SHAH ALAM: Do not force non-Muslims to apply for halal certifications, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the government had not made a decision to require all restaurants or any companies in the food and beverage (F&B) industry in the country to apply for halal certification.
"The issue of halal and haram has been long-standing and has even been requested (applied) by non-Muslim restaurant operators.
"There has not been any decision to mandate that all restaurants across the country or for any in the F&B industry to obtain 100 per cent halal certification… there has been no cabinet decision on this matter.
"This is why the Prime Minister told the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) to explain the current status, proposals, and studies on this issue on Wednesday.
"Do not force non-Muslims to obtain halal certification," he said during his speech at the MIC Annual General Assembly today.
Zahid, who is also the Malaysian Halal Council chairman, stressed that the issue of halal should not be misinterpreted.
Also present were MIC President Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran and MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.