DAWE Australia began an investigation
From Utusan Malaysia (Translated from Bahasa Malaysia)
REPORT on the front page of Utusan Malaysia last Thursday.
By MAISARAH SHEIKH RAHIM
17 April 2022, 12:32 pm
PUTRAJAYA: The Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) is ready to conduct an investigation into an issue involving allegations of doubts about the halal status of an animal slaughterhouse in the country.
Speaking to Mingguan Malaysia , the independent citizen researcher, Murray Hunter, said it was based on the feedback he received yesterday via an email by DAWE which appreciated the effort to raise the issue for the agency's attention.
He said, through the feedback, DAWE stated that it took the issue seriously and gave an assurance that it would examine all the information attached for investigation purposes.
MURRAY HUNTER
“DAWE's readiness to conduct an investigation is very much appreciated. Therefore, we need to give space to his party to get confirmation before concluding what happened in the real field, "he said here yesterday.
A report on the front page of Utusan Malaysia over the past three days revealed that the halal status of an animal slaughterhouse in Australia which also exports meat to Malaysia was in doubt when the slaughtering procedure was allegedly not in accordance with Islamic law.
President of Pertubuhan Kemasyarakatan Rakyat ( Pekemas ), Faizan Mohd. Nor claimed that he had evidence through information from the workers of the slaughterhouse, including video recordings that revealed non-compliance with halal slaughter procedures that had taken place over the years.
The violation of the halal protocol of a slaughterhouse was also admitted by Hunter who claimed that the neglect of compliance with the halal certificate protocol had been raised by certain parties before in 2019, but it was found to be still ongoing based on witness statements and various documents obtained.
However, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in a statement said, it has sought clarification from the Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australian Inc. (SICHMA) and has received an immediate response from the agency.
The agency has also been notified by Jakim’s Halal Attaché Officer in Canberra, who conducts periodic audits on Thomas Foods Industries and found it complies with set rules.
As a result, the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) has come forward and will reveal more issues of imported meat whose halal status is doubtful regarding the issue of meat imported from foreign countries which are believed not to have halal certification but are widely sold in the country's market.
FAIZAN MOHD. NOR
In the meantime, Faizan said, all the evidence related to the disclosure of an animal slaughterhouse in Australia whose halal status is allegedly in doubt, is from authentic sources.
He said all the documents obtained were not doubtful in order to take into account the interests of Muslims who should have the obligation to tell the truth to the community.
He said, in overcoming the issue, he had no confidence if only Jakim was responsible for resolving the issue.
“I have a strong view and opinion that Malaysia is experiencing a very serious integrity issue. What was presented to me was from an authentic and not dubious source.
“I call on Malaysians not to eat and buy imported meat if there are doubts and elements of syubhah. It involves halal and haram and we do not want carcasses on our dining table, ”he said.