BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION‚ SAYS JAMIL KHIR
‘NOT AN ISSUE’: Jamil Khir says Jakim merely focused on content of food, not its name
THE Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) had never intended to declare “hot dog” as haram, and is willing to discuss the matter with Auntie Anne’s over the pretzel chain’s halal certification, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said.
Jamil Khir, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, said there was never an issue over the product’s name in particular the term “hot dog”, which is used to describe sausagebased food products.
He said Jakim merely focused on the content of the food, and not the name.
Jamil Khir said the issue had been blown out of proportion after it went viral on social media which resulted in Jakim being portrayed as making a big mistake.
“Jakim had no intention to ban the use of well-established food terms, which had been used all this while such as cucur kodok, tahi itik and cakar ayam.
“Nevertheless, the name of the food should reflect the society’s norm and the people’s perception and sensitivity should be taken into consideration,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
Jamil Khir said there had been precedents in name changes of areas for example, with Batang Berjuntai being renamed Bestari Jaya and Pantai Cinta Berahi renamed as Pantai Cahaya Bulan.
On Auntie Anne’s application for halal certification, he said it would not be denied because of the food name, neither would Jakim revoke existing halal certifications for others due to the name of the food.
Jamil Khir said the halal certification was voluntary and not compulsory on the part of the food operator.
In Terengganu, Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said there were no issues with food bearing names like tahi itik and cucur badak.
He said such names had been used for the delicacies for a long time and had been consumed by millions of people.
“People in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, and even in southern Thailand, are familiar with tahi itik and cucur badak,” he said, adding there was nothing unIslamic in referring to the two delicacies with their typical names.
Both foods are popular at markets, especially at bazaars during Ramadan.