Picture Credit: MEAphotogallery
Cabinet has not made it mandatory for all non-Muslim restaurants, not selling pork and alcohol, to be fully halal certified!
LETTER: First of all, I thank you, Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi, for the bold and correct position you took as responsible leader of Umno, BN and the Deputy Prime Minister on the controversial possible encroachment of Islamic laws and regulations upon the lives of non-Muslim in the country.
I was impressed reading your quote on the FMT online portal.
Your Quote on Religious Co-existence: A Testament to Your Stance
“Islam says, your religion is for you, my religion is for me. It means that for other religions to respect yours, you must respect theirs”.
"The question of halal and haram has long been a part of this country.
Some non- Muslim business owners already voluntarily seek halal certification, but no decision has been made to make it mandatory for all restaurants nationwide."
Not Mandatory . . .
Your timely assurance that the Cabinet has not made it mandatory for all non- Muslim restaurants, not selling pork and alcohol, to be fully halal certified,
has to a great extent given relief to many non-Muslim who were anxious with the announcement of the Minister in charge of Islamic affairs, Dato Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
In the larger context, I think there's serious disconnect in understanding the needs of the non-Muslim community and their sensitivities, especially those Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, Jain and Sikh operating purely vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
Despite Malaysia being a plural society, leaders of the country, unfortunately, seem disconnected and insensitive towards the needs of the minority community who have entirely different culture, belief, and ideology.
Organic Nation . . .
Yet this committed Malaysian society works together collaboratively towards building the country as an organic nation with independent, unique ways/values of life and character.
This fundamental foundation built and practised by our founding fathers was slowly being erased by certain political mindsets with vested interests that would be a dangerous path if allowed to grow.
Once again, I congratulate you for your timely reminder of what's right and conscionable, and I trust your statement was appreciated by many.
Controversy . . .
Datuk Seri, the controversy began on September 5, 2024, when the Islamic affairs minister unilaterally announced the government's proposal to
require mandatory halal certification of food establishments that do not serve pork and alcohol.
However, he later backtracked and announced on September 14, 2024, that this was purely his proposal and that the matter was not decided or
discussed in the Cabinet meeting thus irresponsibly allowing tension and anxiety to fester among Malaysian for nine unnecessary days.
On September 8 2024, the honourable Prime Minister brushed off the controversy and urged MPs' to bring the matter to a meeting.
This issue was not only the responsibility of a member of parliament but also every citizen's right to raise legitimate issues that affect their lives.
For the Prime Minister to imply that the issues touching on religious and racial sensitivities should not be used to create controversy was akin to belittling the role and intelligence of ordinary citizens raising legitimate issues.
Apology . . .
Now that you have clarified the matter, I think it is only proper for the Minister to apologise to Malaysian for his unilateral announcement without consulting the Cabinet on such an important matter that affects national unity and the current good governance preached by the PM as Madani government.
I hope Dato' Seri will kindly raise the above matter, which remains of national importance, at the next Cabinet meeting.
The Press Statement was issued by P. Waytha Moorthy, President, Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP).
www.malaysianadvancementparty.org
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DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this Press Statement do not necessarily represent those of the Center for Policy Initiatives (CPI).
