By Aida Aziz
TELUK INTAN: A restaurant near Teluk Intan was found to be using the word “Allah” and verses from the Holy Quran to mislead the public, particularly Muslim customers, including the use of an invalid halal logo.
In addition, the premises were found to be fully operated by two non-Muslim workers in the preparation of food and beverages, including the cook.
According to the Director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for the state of Perak, Datuk Kamalludin Ismail, the raid on the restaurant was carried out on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. by a team of officers and enforcement personnel from the KPDN Perak Teluk Intan Branch.
“An inspection was conducted at a restaurant suspected of using an invalid halal logo in its business advertisements and making representations of the halal definition through the use of the word ‘Allah’ and verses from the Holy Quran in its food and beverage business.
“The owner of the premises failed to produce any certification or verification documents from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and was found to be employing two non-Muslim workers in the preparation of food and beverages at the restaurant, including the cook,” he said here today.
As a result, the premises owner was subjected to enforcement action and detained for the purpose of recording a statement.
He added that the enforcement team also seized several items, namely a set of the words ‘Allah’ and ‘Muhammad’ (wooden), a set of the words ‘Allah’ and ‘Muhammad’ (plastic), one decorative wall-mounted Quran, one copy of the Teluk Intan Municipal Council licence, and one copy of the Business Registration (SSM), with a total seizure value of RM500 for further investigation.
“For the first offence, the case will be investigated under Paragraph 4 of the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011.
“For the second offence, the investigation will be conducted under Paragraph 8 of the Trade Descriptions (Halal Certification and Marking) Order 2011,” he said.
He stressed that KPDN views such matters seriously and will take firm action against traders who misuse halal terminology, definitions, or invalid halal logos.
Such actions, he said, can deceive or mislead others into believing that their food, goods, or services are halal, particularly Muslims.
“Traders must also be aware of offences involving food, goods, and services, as well as the use of halal logos or any representation that indicates the food or goods offered are permissible for consumption or use by Muslims,” he added.
