Compulsory Halal certification for food outlets serving no pork and alcohol unnecessary, says activist

Peter John Jaban

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 18: The federal government’s proposal to make Halal certification compulsory for restaurants and food establishments that do not serve pork or alcohol is unnecessary, says Sarawak activist Peter John Jaban.

He said the latest Malaysia Madani policy measure will have serious negative ramifications and ripple effects intended and unintended on society and community in Sabah and Sarawak.

“We (Sarawak) are proud of our multi-religious and multicultural way of life. It is one in which people of all religious persuasions gather at the same table in public and eat, drink and socialise in genuine harmony and unity—without the need of any form of religious certification.

“It is unnecessary and regressive to make it compulsory for non-Muslim shops to obtain halal certification and to place Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) officers to exercise religious oversight on government agencies in the Borneo region where liberal and secular norms have been the heritage and practice,” he said in a statement today.

He further urged the federal authorities to consult and engage with Sarawak’s political, business, social and religious leaders before implementation of the proposal and other similar policy measures.

Peter John further cited the recently concluded Borneo Tuak Festival in Kuching as a shining example of solidarity as it attracted a diverse crowd, including locals, foreigners and people of mixed background, including Muslims of mixed parentage.

“While other parts of the country wrestle with division and extremism, here in Sarawak, we lead by example.

“We don’t just coexist, we thrive together where all the Malays, Dayaks, Chinese, Indians, Orang Ulu and foreigners live, work, and celebrate in harmony,” he added.

While acknowledging the potential social issues that alcohol can cause, Peter John emphasised that these issues stem from people, not the drink.

He also said tuak is not just a drink but a shared identity and heritage among the Indigenous peoples of Sarawak.

“Licenses should be issued to certified Tuak brewers, to ensure that the craft is preserved, regulated, and given the respect it deserves.

“This will not only safeguard the quality and authenticity of Tuak but hand in hand, support our local brewers in showcasing their culture and heritage on a much broader scale,” he pointed out. — DayakDaily