Malaysia To Update Halal Standards For Imported Meat

The Malaysian government is rigorously working to bolster and modernize the halal regulations, with a special focus on imported meat and meat-based products, stated the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

He accentuated that the government’s agenda also encompasses a thorough examination of the methodologies employed by exporting nations in procuring halal certifications for commodities earmarked for the Malaysian market.

“It is indispensable to meticulously scrutinize their modus operandi. I will liaise with Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) to delve into such critical issues,” he communicated to the media post the benevolent food donation drive organized by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) for the denizens of the Taman Wahyu People’s Housing Project (PPR).

Recent reports in the media have shed light on an alleged meat cartel involved in the illicit smuggling of non-halal-certified meat from countries such as China, Ukraine, Brazil, and Argentina. The reports suggest that the smuggled meat was deceitfully repackaged with counterfeit halal certification labels at a facility in Senai, Johor.

Addressing the meat cartel predicament, Zulkifli highlighted the imperative nature of reinforcing the legal framework to guarantee swift and efficacious measures against the culprits.

Furthermore, he urged the consumers to exercise due diligence by cross-referencing the registered products and their halal accreditation on Joakim’s official portal. He also mentioned that exhaustive details on the meat importation procedures are available on his official Facebook and Twitter channels.

The Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim), in a concerted effort to safeguard the integrity of halal products, is set to reinforce the enforcement mechanisms and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with regard to halal certification, especially for goods that may be smuggled by cartels.

Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), reinforced that this action plan aims to safeguard the accessibility of halal and hygienic food products for the populace, especially the Muslim community, in compliance with Islamic tenets.

“By the grace of Almighty, the exposure of the meat cartel scandal will propel the government and Jakim to enhance SOPs, monitoring, and compliance measures. Where necessary, manpower augmentation for Jakim will also be considered,” he conveyed to journalists at the Pengkalan Chepa-level circumcision ceremony at Dewan Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam.

In an alarming revelation, the media disclosed the cartel’s strategy of smuggling exotic meats like kangaroo and horse from selected countries, falsely representing them as beef by altering packaging and affixing halal insignia, before distributing them to supermarkets across Malaysia.

Marzuk asserted that in light of these discoveries, Jakim will bolster collaboration with pertinent authorities, encompassing the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, to expeditiously rectify the situation.