KLUANG: The verbal sparring between Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh and DAP vice-president Teresa Kok over the halal certification issue is over.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had personally intervened to ease tensions between the two.
"It has toned down... I personally met with Dr Akmal on Sept 14. And, I told DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke about it.
"In fact, yesterday I issued an official statement on the decision of the cabinet that there is no obligation for any restaurant to apply for a halal certificate... the old policy remains in place.
"So, the issue (of halal certification) is closed," he told reporters at Mahkota Camp, here.