Amid police probe, DAP MP Teresa Kok defends call for Malaysia to drop proposed mandatory halal certification for certain eateries

SINGAPORE: A senior Malaysian politician under police investigation for urging the government not to roll out proposed mandatory halal food certifications for certain eateries has stressed that her previous comments did not mean that she questioned halal certification or disrespected Islam. 

This comes as the police confirmed on Monday (Sep 9) that member of parliament for Seputeh and Democratic Action Party (DAP) vice-chairman Teresa Kok will be called in to provide a statement on Tuesday morning over her earlier call.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and DAP chief Anthony Loke had also weighed in on the issue over the weekend. DAP is part of the ruling government coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH).

In a press statement last Friday, Ms Kok had asked the government to review a proposal by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, requiring restaurants that do not sell pork and alcohol to obtain halal certification.

“There are no existing laws that require restaurants or food companies to secure halal certification,” he was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying during a press conference at the International Conference on Sep 5. 

He added that increased consumer awareness could pressure businesses to obtain the certification.

His comments came shortly after Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) confirmed that six food and beverage outlets frequented by Muslims were not halal-certified. JAKIM is the federal government agency that administers Islamic affairs in Malaysia.

In response, Mdm Kok said that halal certification should be voluntary, allowing businesses to decide based on market demand, rather than making it mandatory.

She argued that requiring restaurants and food companies to have halal certification would add operational challenges and burden small businesses.

The statement triggered a police investigation under Section 298 of the Penal Code, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act, which relate to religious offence, public mischief and offensive online content. 

“The 3R (Religion, Monarchy, and Race) standard operating procedures will be followed, and all witnesses will be called to complete the investigation,” said police General-Inspector Razarudin Husain on Sunday, as quoted in local media, adding that five police reports had been lodged. 

On Monday, Mr Razarudin said these witnesses would include JAKIM representatives. 

In a Facebook post on Sunday (Sep 8), Ms Kok had sought to defend herself, saying that she supports the government’s efforts, especially those of JAKIM, to promote halal certification in the food and beverage industry.

“As a Member of Parliament, I am responsible for voicing the problems and voices of the people of various races. That is why I asked the government to review this proposal,” said Mdm Kok.

She added that “the standard used by JAKIM in halal certification is among the highest in the world”.

Madam Kok’s earlier call for a government review also attracted criticism from various political parties and figures. 

On Sep 8, prime minister Anwar Ibrahim clarified that Madam Kok’s comments did not represent the official stance of PH.

Malaysia media quoted Mr Anwar as saying that Mdm Kok should have gone “through the proper channels” and that her remarks were unnecessary and only complicated the issue.

In her Facebook post, Mdm Kok said she took note of the prime minister’s response but added: “I cannot raise my views through internal channels, because the minister in the prime minister’s department (Religious Affairs) had raised this proposal through an open forum.”

She added he had done so without engaging with “representatives (of) people” first.

The same day as Mr Anwar’s remarks, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke called on all quarters to avoid politicising remarks regarding the issue. 

According to a New Straits Times report, Mr Loke said that Mdm Kok had a duty to express her views on matters affecting the public.

“As an MP, she has the responsibility to voice her views, and what was raised is a concern, particularly from non-Muslim restaurants, which may also be affected or required to obtain halal certification,” he added. 

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim also voiced his support, saying that Mdm Kok should not be investigated by the police and viewed as a troublemaker. 

“Simply put, Teresa is now thrown under the bus,” Mr Zaid said, as quoted in Free Malaysia Today. 

In an online post, he urged Muslim leaders not to be emotional when a non-Muslim leader raises a matter like halal food certification.

Mdm Kok served as Minister of Primary Industries in the PH administration under former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad from 2018 to 2020.

In 2014, she was charged at the Sessions Court with sedition over a YouTube video which she had allegedly uploaded that February. 

The video allegedly poked fun at a variety of issues such as the education system, and the Sulu terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah, the previous year.

The charge was later dropped. 

In May this year, local media reported that Mdm Kok had discovered two bullets and a threatening letter in her home’s mailbox.