Meat smuggling: Establishment of RCI is best step - Zulkifli

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri in a statement yesterday said the idea has found favour and was agreed upon by the relevant parties involved and is seen as crucial for the benefit of Muslims in Malaysia.

Earlier in the Dewan Negara yesterday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid announced that the government had agreed and fully supported the proposal to set up an RCI to investigate the issue of meat smuggling that abused the halal logo.

Rosol said the government viewed the issue of illegal meat cartels seriously as it is causing anxiety among the people.

Zulkifli also welcomed KPDNHEP's intention to set up a Legal and Halal Enforcement Committee to coordinate action and issues relating to halal, which will also comprise the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the State Islamic Religious Department (JAIN).

He said he and Jakim were concerned about the recent illegal meat cartel case. They have initiated several visits to companies of industry players involved in the importation and slaughter of meat.

“This effort is carried out from time to time to ensure the quality of halal certification of meat products produced in the country is at its best.

“For imported meat products, Jakim will continue to intensify efforts and improvements to ensure that the Foreign Halal Certification Body complies with all the standards that have been set,” he said.