McDonald’s halal policy not suitable for Sarawak – Pol sec
If McDonald’s Malaysia were to implement the same policy at its fast food outlets in Sarawak, I believe that non-Muslim consumers might resort to boycotting the fast food chain.
KUCHING: Political secretary to the Chief Minister Michael Tiang has called on McDonald’s Malaysia not to extend their policy that only halal- certified birthday cakes are allowed at their premises to Sarawak.
According to him, such a policy is “totally incompatible with Sarawak’s multi- cultural and religious society”.
“If McDonald’s Malaysia were to implement the same policy at its fast food outlets in Sarawak, I believe that non-Muslim consumers might resort to boycotting the fast food chain,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Tiang pointed out that one of the unique features of Sarawak is the harmony and tolerance among different ethnic groups and religions in the state.
“In fact, such solidarity is the pride of all Sarawakians. Sarawak cannot condone any religious or racial extremism which would only destroy the solidarity among Sarawak people.
“Thus, in order to preserve such harmony, the state government has been very merciless towards extremists, religious bigots and racists by denying their entry to the state,” he remarked.
McDonald’s Malaysia recently
Michael Tiang, Political secretary to the Chief Minister
caused a public uproar when it issued a statement last Thursday ( Dec 29) that only halal- certified birthday cakes would be allowed at its restaurants in the country as this was “in line with fulfilling the requirements of the halal certification”.
On New Year’s Eve, the popular fast food chain issued an apology over the misunderstanding over its notice but nevertheless persisted with the policy due to its need to ensure that products consumed at their outlets are certified halal by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
Meanwhile, Jakim in its first public statement yesterday commended McDonald’s Malaysia for its policy describing it as “consistent with its certification for food premises”.
Malay Mail Online reported that the department pointed to the requirements for halal certification as contained in the Manual Procedure for Malaysia Halal Certification ( Third Revision) 2014.
In Section 5(5)(v) of the manual, it is stated that “non-halal food or beverages are not allowed to be brought into the premise compound”.
“Jakim views the policy brought forth by McDonald’s to be a good initiative and strong commitment by the company in its halal assurance efforts at McDonald’s premises, based on the Halal Assurance Management System ( HAS),” said Jakim in its statement.