If you are residing in Malaysia, you probably would know that all Muslim restaurants serving their meals are 100% halal. However, one Muslim restaurant in Shah Alam apparently did not obey the rules.
As reported in NST, the Muslim eatery at Section 25 was discovered to be operating as a ‘halal’ Muslim establishment but without valid halal certification. The outlet’s interior even displayed Quranic verses and messages in Jawi on the wall but they were found to be getting raw food from non-halal suppliers.
The restaurant was exposed by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS). After that, its officers and enforcement personnel from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs came to the eatery to conduct a spot-check.
According to NST, the authourities were tipped off by a viral social media post mentioning that the owner of the Muslim eatery is a non-Muslim. Also, the social media post claimed that the restaurant is cheating patrons who visit their shop by promoting the premises as a halal Muslim establishment. However, it was later discovered that the eatery was selling non-halal meals.
“We also found that (almost all of the restaurant’s staff) are non-Muslim, which makes the halal status of their food questionable,” explained Jais deputy director (Operations) Salwana Ahmad Dahlan.
After further investigations, it was discovered that the eatery was owned by a non-Muslim named T. Krisnasamy, 61, along with a Muslim individual. When contacted, Krisnasamy mentioned that the restaurant had never been raided. Meanwhile, he promised that he will comply with all of Jais’ instructions and will start removing the Quranic verses.
Jais deputy director (Operations) Salwana Ahmad Dahlan elaborated that legal action will be taken against the owners under Section 10 (A) of the Selangor Syariah Crimes Enactment 1995 “for insulting Islam or causing Islam to be undermined”. As of now, the owners of the eatery have been summoned to present themselves at the Jais Office to record their statements.
Furthermore, she reminded that consumers can now file any complaints about the halal status of Selangor eateries to Jais at 03-5514 3760 / 3486.
Let’s hope that the particular restaurant will obtain a valid halal certification soon, otherwise they shouldn’t claim to be!
Also read: Food Factory in Puchong Caught Using Fake Halal Logo Without Permission After JAIS Raid