KUCHING : It had been made clear to the public that the halal logo must be accredited and certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), said Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and DBKU) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
He also stated that the public can request for proof of the halal certificate to verify the halal status of a food premises adding that although only the owner of the premises may know the information on the status of the import license holder, consumers, on the other hand, can check with the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) to identify whether the abattoirs and slaughterhouses are enlisted and have obtained import permits from the department.
“To indicate on the authenticity of the halal logo, it must be accredited by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the establishment of the slaughter plant must be approved by Sarawak Veterinary Services department.
“For import permits, products which are imported must obtain permits from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS). If entering Sarawak, permits would be authorised from our veterinary department,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune recently.
Dr Abdul Rahman was commenting on how consumers, especially Muslims can identify the authenticity of the halal logo on the imported frozen poultry products in Malaysia.
He also said that 84 countries have been certified by foreign halal certification bodies (FHCB) which have been recognised by Jakim.
Asked whether the halal logo can be easily copied by other parties, Dr Abdul Rahman asserted that the process of obtaining halal certification from Jakim must able to meet with the department’s strict standards.
“It can’t be denied that some irresponsible quarters may forge fake logos. However, every logo should be accompanied by a genuine halal certificate issued by Jakim which is valid for a specific period only.
“For halal certification, Jakim needs to ascertain the halal status of the product at every stage and at every process involved by carrying out an official site inspection on the plants purposely to examine on the halal status of the raw material is maintained and monitored at all times.
“For the case in Senai, Johor that involved the fake halal logo, all halal logo’s that were found in the premises were fake. Moreover, they were not Malaysian halal certificate (SPHM) holders,” he added.
