AFTER DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok was threatened with a police report for 3R breaches by opposing the Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (JAKIM) mulling of mandatory halal certification for alcohol/pork-free restaurants, perhaps human rights activist Siti Kasim’s stinging objection can be accepted by virtue of her being a Muslim.
Ridiculing Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Na’im Mokhtar for having stated that JAKIM is contemplating such proposal as halal certification is currently voluntary for food business operators, the vocal lawyer insisted that JAKIM has no authority to interfere with the rights of Muslim patrons to frequent/dine in non-Muslim-owned F&B premises.
“Is this a way for JAKIM to make more money? We know how tedious it is for eateries to obtain halal certification,” she lambasted in a Facebook video.
“I don’t understand this rationality; firstly, it’ll kill businesses without halal certificates although they don’t serve pork and alcohol but I know there’s a movement in social media which propagates to Malays/Muslims that they’ll go to hell if they frequent non-Muslim-owned premises without halal certificate.”
The agitated Orang Asli advocate went on to question her Malay/Muslim brethren why they must allow one so-called religious body to direct or manage their lives by telling them where they can eat, wear or if they can participate in a sporting activity.
“Are you guys robots or humans?” she hit out. “I’m stunned as to why there seems to be a growing number of restrictions these days.
“Forcing businesses which profess not serving alcohol and pork to obtain halal certifications is not necessary at all for it’s entirely up to Muslims to decide if they wish to consume food at such premises.”
She has this to tell the minister-in-charge:
“I respect you Datuk Naim but I hope this is merely a matter of mulling and not for implementation for the bottom line is that we’re ourselves answerable in the grave to God if we wish to consume food deemed haram.
“Already there are too many self-professed gods in this world. Does JAKIM also want to play God as well? The proposal is absolutely ridiculous and outrageous.
“Pleases stop all these nonsenses. We’ve our own brain to think and we’ll do what is necessary to live in this world. How we’re going to fare in the next world is entirely up to us. Please leave us alone. Just stop all these nonsenses!!”
By the way, Bersatu Youth has demanded an apology from Kok who is also the Seputeh MP and a retraction of her remarks on halal certification for all food establishments that do not serve pork or alcohol.
Its youth wing’s chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal further threatened to lodge a police report against Kok for allegedly touching on sensitive issues pertaining to race, religion and royalty (3R).
“Seeking halal is a fundamental obligation for Muslims. There is nothing shameful about requiring all businesses that deal with Muslims to comply with these standards,” the Machang MP reacted in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari called on DAP to steer clear of commenting on halal certification as this would only reinforce the perception that the party is anti-religious.
If the party must address it, the Pasir Mas MP suggested that it should do so through other parties in the Madani government, ie negotiate with PKR, Amanah or UMNO through their presidents to speak on DAP’s behalf. – Sept 7, 2024
