JAKIM, MAIN WON'T ENDORSE NON-HALAL PRODUCTS USING 'HALAL' LABEL

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the respective State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN) will not give recognition nor issue the 'halal' certificates and logo for non-halal products using the 'halal' label.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Rohani Abdul Karim said this was because such recognition would be contrary to the 'halal' standards specified by the authority concerned.

This was among the conditions contained in the Trade Description Bill 2011 which was passed by the Senate Monday.

She said among the products involved were 'bak kut teh', beer, and bacon which had previously used the 'halal' label which could confuse the people.

"Once the bill has been passed, only the certification and logo issued by Jakim and MAIN are allowed. This means that certification by other bodies will no longer be allowed," she said when winding up the debate on the Trade Description Bill 2011 at the Senate Monday.

She said that under the new Bill, full power was given to Jakim and MAIN to issue the 'halal' logo to avoid confusion under the method of certification used previously.
-- BERNAMA