PAS Secretary-General and Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Bharu Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has chimed in regarding the recent controversy involving Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s statement on the proposal to make it mandatory for restaurants not serving pork or alcohol in Malaysia to have Halal certification.
In a statement, Takiyuddin asserted that Teresa’s statement was premature and seemingly a deliberate attempt by her to paint the wrong image of Islam and the religion’s administration in our country.
PAS Secretary-General tells off Teresa Kok for causing unnecessary polemic
Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan
Takiyuddin added that as a Government MP, Teresa should’ve been aware that all new Government policies should go through a long and uniform process, including getting the Cabinet’s approval, which has DAP members in it, before they’re implemented.
The Kota Bharu MP said that Teresa’s statement has caused polemic, unrest and unnecessary public misunderstanding on the matter. Takiyuddin further elaborated that Teresa should’ve realised that her statement had given the wrong image of Islam and its administration in Malaysia, especially regarding the freedom of non-Muslims.
He asserted,
“By creating a narrative that the implementation (proposal) of Halal certificates for restaurants and eateries encroach on the rights and freedom of non-Muslims, Teresa had also painted a picture as if Islamic practices in our country is a ‘threat’ to them.”
Teresa Kok
Takiyuddin says eateries owned by non-Muslims shouldn’t serve Muslim patrons if they don’t have Halal certificates
Besides that, the PAS Secretary-General said that if the proposal was examined closer, it was clear that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) only involves Muslims, specifically their freedom to enjoy food certified as Halal and their right to not be misled on the matter.
Takiyuddin stressed that restaurants and eateries owned by non-Muslims in our country shouldn’t accept Muslim patrons if they don’t have Halal certificates. Moreover, these non-Muslim eateries owners shouldn’t mislead Muslim patrons that their products could “be enjoyed by Muslims”.
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The Kota Bharu MP then referenced recent cases of popular restaurants marketed to Muslims not having Halal certificates as causing trust issues among the people. He elaborated that while Muslims should be more careful about their choices, the Government also has a role in ensuring that the situation is under control.
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So, what do you guys think of Takiyuddin’s statement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: Government to Discuss Moving Cigarette Sales to Non-Halal Sections of Stores & Supermarkets
