NOW with the halal certificate issue brewing up a racial firestorm which appears to show no signs of abating, here comes another post on X by netizen ajitboo about a Chinese restaurant being frequented by Malays.
Even in the past, Restoran New Holly Wood has made headlines due to its very obvious Chinese theme and Malay Muslim customers.
Restoran ni tak de sijil halal tapi kenapa masih ramai orang Melayu makan kat restoran ni? pic.twitter.com/Am8RFOK0wS
— ajibtoo ™ (@cheajibsayang) September 9, 2024
Since then, Jabatan Agama Islam Perak has confirmed that the restaurant does not possess a halal certificate, although this has not stopped the Malays from frequenting the place.
It would appear, however, that the opinions of the netizens are divided over this rather complicated subject of halal and non-halal.
According to netizen nepp, the patronage from the Malay customers was likely due to the fact that halal to them means no pork only.
Budak Milo suggested that perhaps the branding of the restaurant played a vital role in drawing in customers.
Another netizen added that the Ipoh people are well aware of the food being sold here.
He said the customers were confident that the ingredients being used were halal, with the exception of the non-muslim operators from diverse races.
Netizen Anaantha Krishnan said the restaurant owner is Chinese, yet inside he rents out the place to small stalls for the Malays, Chinese and Indian.
He added that he once bought a nasi lemak from a Malay auntie there.
To recap, the Hainanese restaurant is owned by Chan Jit Keong, having operated since 1957. Patrons can find meals such as dim sum, roti bakar, curry mee, pan mee and chee cheong fun there.
Chan said the process of getting a halal certificate was not simple, which explains the situation.
Would it then constitute Restoran New Holly Wood as non-halal even though the food preparation and ingredients used adheres to the Islamic faith and teaching?
Don’t get us wrong because we are not endorsing Restoran New Holly Wood as halal. People, however, should also remember that just because a restaurant has a halal certificate does not mean it is halal.
Cleanliness is part of the halal criteria, and as such, is not a permanent status. – Sept 10, 2024
Main image: visitperak.com
