JAKIM, MINISTRY SETS UP JOINT COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS HALAL ISSUE

BERA (Pahang, Malaysia), Aug 30 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade, Cooperative and
Consumerism Ministry and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has set up a
joint committee to address the use of halal (permissible in Islam) logo and
food.

Its minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the committee which was headed by the
ministry's deputy secretary-general, Daud Tahir, would coordinate Jakim and the
ministry's roles in dealing with the issue more effectively.

He said a special team was also formed to monitor and inspect the use halal logo
and food, particularly in restaurants and kopitiam (a traditional breakfast and
coffee shop).

"At the moment many restaurant operators, traders and shopkeepers are using
halal logo issued by private companies besides Jakim," he told reporters after
presenting aid to Felda (Federal Land Development Authority) settlers here
Sunday.

Ismail Sabri said once the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 on provisions regulating
the halal food industry were approved in October, Jakim would be the sole agency
entrusted with issuing halal certificate and logo.
-- BERNAMA