CLAMPDOWN ON SALE OF HOLY WATER

Saudi government disallows sale of zamzam, says Health D-G

THE Health Ministry is conducting a sweep on the sale of zamzam water following a ban issued by the Saudi Arabian embassy against its sale in shops in Kuala Lumpur and across the country.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said parties caught selling zamzam water faced a fine not exceeding RM10,000, or jail up to two years under Food Regulations 1985.

From 2012 to October this year, the ministry had confiscated RM58,191.80 worth of zamzam water, he said here, yesterday.

He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry agreed that enforcement should be under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry.

He said the ministry, through the Food Safety and Quality Division, was acting against the sale of zamzam water under Section 4(1) (f ) of Food Act 1983.

Dr Noor Hisham said zamzam water, which is obtained underground, was categorised as natural mineral water as stipulated under Regulation 360A of Food Regulations 1985.

“Its import requires the source of water licence as well as approval and authentication by geology and hydrology authorities,” he said.

He said the Saudi government only allowed the distribution of zamzam water for free to haj and umrah pilgrims as well as visitors for personal consumption in limited quantity.

“The ministry is intensifying enforcement against the sale of zamzam water as its sale is banned in Malaysia,” he said.

Dr Noor said the public could contact the District Health Office or nearest State Health Department or surf its website at http://mo-h.spab.gov. my or www.facebook.com /bkkmhq for further information. Bernama