Malay Consultative Council calls for shake-up of Jakim

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Consultative Council (MPM) has called for a major reshuffling of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) over its perceived failure to protect Muslim consumers in guaranteeing the distribution of halal meat in the country.

Its Performance Management & Delivery Unit committee chairman, Tun Hanif Omar, said Jakim should relieve itself from its role in handling the issuance of the halal certificate.

Saying that Jakim should face action for its “negligence”, Hanif said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) should face similar action for its alleged failure to improve the ruminant industry.

Hanif said the government should consider reactivating the Malaysia Halal Council (MHM), which was abolished during the previous administration.

“The new halal certificates (should MHM be revived) should be equipped with block-chain certification or colour-coded certification that have details of certificate holders, content of approval and reports of their current performance. In the meantime, all issuance of halal certificates should be suspended. Maju Ternak should be reestablished as a corporation and collaborate with the DVS in developing the sector swiftly,” he said yesterday.

He said MHM should set up a task force comprising of officials from government agencies, namely those from the Islamic Religious Affairs division under the Prime Minister’s Department, the states’ Islamic councils, Economic Planning Unit and the Implementation and Coordination Unit, Malaysia AntiCorruption Commission, Customs Department, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and police, as well nongovernmental organisations representatives.

He said the council should submit its recommendations and seek the wisdom of the Conference of Rulers to compel the establishment of a special court for corruption and recommend stiffer penalties for offenders, which would include community service, and even stripping them of citizenship and banishment from the country.

“The action by the Conference of Rulers would be in accordance with a state of emergency order as it would take time for this matter to be brought to Parliament,” said Hanif, who is also MPM’s advisory board member.

Hanif lamented the fact that the issue stemmed from the widespread corruption, delivery system failure, questionable halal certification issuance process and failure of the livestock industry.