Chicken rice issue: KPDNHEP probes food stalls without halal cert

KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) is conducting further investigation into claims that two chicken rice stalls allegedly sourced their supply from a non-Muslim restaurant in an incident that went viral on social media recently.

Its deputy minister, Datuk Rosol Wahid said the detailed investigation was carried out with the cooperation of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and stern action would be taken against those found guilty.

Rosol said his team has contacted the Penang KPDNHEP and found that based on its jurisdiction, the premises was not at fault.

"It becomes an offence only when a shop advertises it sells halal food but its food is not halal. However, we will carry out further investigations with JAKIM with regard to this issue," he said at a press conference after the launch of the Kopi Merdeka programme, organised by Tealive, at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur here today.

In the 38-second video that went viral on social media, two Malay men were seen entering a non-Muslim restaurant in Paya Terubong and believed to have taken chicken rice to be sold at a Malay-owned stall in Sungai Ara.

An inspection by the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP) together with the Penang KPDNHEP Enforcement Division found that the food was cooked at the Persiaran Gurney branch before being sold at premises in Sungai Ara that does not have a Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM).

Rosol advised consumers to exercise caution when buying halal products by checking the availability of halal certificates and the cleanliness of the premises before making a purchase.

Meanwhile, Rosol urged traders to lower the prices of goods given that the price of chicken is stable now.

"There is no reason for them (traders) to sell at the old prices. But we found that some stubborn traders refuse to reduce prices. So we have looked for a way and checked...there might be profiteering and so on (involved)," he added.

-- BERNAMA