HALAL CERTIFICATION OF TWO HOTELS STRIPPED

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains) Director, Datuk Amri A. Suratman, said the halal certification of two hotels have been stripped by Jakim for not meeting the criteria on halal food.

"Among the criteria which makes food in a premises halal include the slaughtering of the meat which has to meet Islamic standards and laws," he said.

"Ingredients used must also be halal," he said, adding it would also depend on the quality and safety.

Apart from that, he said, he would be among those who will be going on an inspection to premises which claim to have halal food with Minister in the Chief Minister's Department, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, on Aug 6.

He said this at a press conference after a breaking-of-fast ceremony (Majlis Sungkai Perdana) at 1Borneo Grand Ballroom, here, Saturday.

The breaking-of-fast ceremony was organised by the State's Jakim and Jheains.

Amri pointed out that shops which have the words "No pork served" stated outside their premises will not be checked because according to him, such shops do not serve halal food.

"Just because a restaurant does not serve pork, it does not mean that the food they serve is halal," he said, adding that Muslims should be aware of this fact.

Amri also warned those who make it clear that they are selling halal food will be fined up to RM2.3 million if they are caught selling non-halal food.

More information about this can be found on the Jakim website.

"Only Jakim can authorise the halal certificate/logo. No other body or person can do this," said Amri.

Meanwhile, Nasir reminded Muslims to be careful especially in terms of selecting places they go to for the breaking of fast during Ramadan.

"This is a question of faith, so make sure you go to places that serve 100 per cent halal food."

Among those present was Sabah Jakim Director, Ahmad Zaki Arsad.