A couple of days ago, Universiti Malaya (UM) decided to shut down two 24-hour convenience stores on their campus due to doubts over what kind of meat was used in the stores’ ‘Ham and Cheese’ sandwiches. They also doubted the Halal logo included on the packaging.
Now, it has been clarified that the convenience stores involved are both KK Marts.
UMNO Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has since taken to his TikTok page to condemn KK Mart over the sandwich issue while reminding the convenience store brand that people have yet to forget about the ‘Allah’ socks issue that took place early last year.
He wrote, “Old wounds have yet to even heal, now new wounds are being created. I request that the authorities investigate this and strict action must be taken.”
“Ham has pork meat in it”
In his TikTok video, he explained that some students from UM had made a police report over the ‘Ham and Cheese’ sandwiches that were being sold at the KK Mart outlets on campus.
“This ham, if you want to know what is in ‘ham’, there are elements of pig in it and there is pork meat in it,” he said, while including a screenshot of the definition of ‘ham’.
The definition read: Ham is a cut of pork from a pig’s hind leg.
He went on to explain that, even if the sales of the ‘Ham and Cheese’ sandwiches are meant for non-Muslim students, there is a Halal logo on the packaging that may cause Muslim students to purchase and eat it.
“I want to ask KK Mart, since when is ‘ham’ Halal? And how did this product receive a Halal logo?”
Dr Akmal also brought up the previous ‘Allah’ socks issue
He then proceeded to remind KK Mart that the ‘wounds’ from the previous ‘Allah’ socks issue have yet to heal.
“So, KK Mart, we’re still angry about the socks issue from last year. We still feel it in our hearts. And this time, it’s a ‘Ham and Cheese’ issue that managed to receive a Halal logo and is being sold at KK Marts inside Universiti Malaya,”
“How do the products in KK Mart, if there is a Halal logo, what is the guarantee that it’s actually Halal? If even ‘Ham and Cheese’ can get a Halal logo, what about the other products?” he further questioned.
Can’t ham be Halal?
While many people echoed his sentiments and called for boycotts of the convenience store, others pointed out that ham can easily be made from other meats including chicken and turkey.
But the politician responded by stating that it has to be stated on the packaging if it is ‘chicken ham’ or ‘turkey ham’. If not, ‘ham’ alone refers to pork.
You can check out his TikTok video here:
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: “Protect your dignity!” – Local Uni Group Enforces Rules Banning Public Displays of Affection on Campus
