Malaysia’s Halal Crisis
An Interview with Adem Cetinay Vice President of SICHMA
It’s been almost two months since I published the article about alleged breaches in halal protocols and procedures at the Thomas Foods International abattoir in Lobethal, South Australia.
Below I am posting the responses from Adem Cetinay, Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Council for Halal Meats in Australia (SICHMA). SICHMA is the foreign Halal Certification Body (FHCB) for both JAKIM and MUIS.
It was agreed “I would like to publish your side of the story. Just your side, no comments and no opinions.”
This sheds another view on the story:
Question 1. Any comment about this morning's article in Utusan Malaysia
It is with great sadness and disappointment that the name of Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australia (SICHMA) is again in media articles that are false and untrue. Thank you for making us aware of the article and asking for our comment.
It is very easy for people to hide behind a false name like “Amin” without having to justify any of their accusations made. It appears that SICHMA has become a target for false and untrue allegations. The motives of these people are questionable.
The article commences by stating;
“The findings were confirmed by a representative of an international halal organization in the Philippines who wanted to be known as Amin during a surprise inspection at the three slaughterhouses”.
We do not know or understand who these people from the Philippines are and they have not contacted or raised any issue/concerns with SICHMA. It is simple to prove that the article is false because SICHMA only certifies two (2) abattoirs in Queensland, Australia, not three (3) as the article states. Furthermore, it does not seem believable that a surprise inspection can be made from someone in the Philippines that is NOT the halal certifier of the abattoir. In such a case SICHMA would have been notified by the abattoir. However, we would welcome any information that Mr Amin can provide us directly to investigate the matter further. If Mr Amin was able to contact Utusan Malaysia if he was so concerned, why then would he not do the correct and honourable Muslim thing and contact SICHMA directly. So, I question his motive again.
The article also states; “Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, Amin claimed that two of them did not comply with the legal conditions of slaughter when no Muslim slaughterer performed the procedure”.
All I can say is that SICHMA applies the halal standards and protocols to its full extent. SICHMA audits every abattoir at least once a quarter and also conducts unannounced audits. When there are times that there is not a sufficient number of Muslim Slaughterman, the abattoir down-grades the whole day as non-halal production.
The article also states; “Even more shocking, he said, the animals there were 'fattened' by stuffing water pipes into their mouths in order to gain weight before the animals died and their body parts were cut off”.
Every abattoir has an Australian Government veterinarian based on site looking at all issues to do with halal, animal welfare, animal rights, food safety and hygiene. Such a claim has no foundation and is ridiculous. The ulterior motive appears quite clear, trying to tie these false allegations to another lamb abattoir in the article.
Question 2. Can you give an explanation of the videos and story provided by the whistle blower "Abdullah"
The whistle blower’s name is not Abdullah however, I will not divulge his real name at this point. We would like to clarify the following accusations and statements made by the whistle blower only in relation to SICHMA.
The allegations and statement of concern are;
“SICHMA” only comes every 3 months”
Most halal standards in the world require at least 1 halal audit per year however, both the Australian laws and the Malaysia Halal Standards and Protocols require accredited halal certification bodies to conduct audits every quarter (that is 4 times per year). In addition to this, we also participate in the annual audit of the Malaysia Attaché based in Australia and may also carry out unannounced audits.
“SICHMA Shares the slaughterman’s money…”
SICHMA does not take or share any income of the halal slaughterman.
SICHMA does not get paid by the abattoir for any slaughterman work.
SICHMA does not get paid by any labour hire provider or any other organisation for any slaughterman.
SICHMA does not directly employ or contract any halal slaughterman work.
SICHMA does not engage or authorise any labour hire providers to act on its behalf. In a free market economy, the abattoir has the option to either employ the halal slaughterman directly or through a labour hire provider. We are not involved in this process at all. However, SICHMA has AUSMEAT ID Cards issued to the Muslim slaughterman confirming that they are Muslims and competent slaughterman.
“SICHMA is in back pocket….”
SICHMA can confirm that we are not in anyone’s back pocket. It is very easy for people to make accusations without any substance or proof. SICHMA is an honourable “not for profit” charity that has been operating only as a halal certifier since 1992 with Islamic Societies as its owners/members. Any profits made by SICHMA are distributed to the community. Many donations are made each year to Muslim and non-Muslim people and organisations.
It is ludicrous to suggest such unethical behaviour for a distinguished and reputable Islamic organisation.
“Auditor was very happy with slaughterman…”
Our Islamic Affairs Expert and Lead Auditor follow a detailed checklist when interviewing Muslim slaughterman. The appreciation of the slaughterman who took the pictures are evident from this comment.
The Halal Slaughtermen alleges that he advised SICHMA of the lambs face/mouth making contact with the blood at the abattoir.
We can confirm that no slaughterman contacted SICHMA whether by telephone or email about this situation. We ask that the slaughterman provide evidence of an email sent to SICHMA as he stated that he also sent an email to JAKIM.
Had any contact been made with SICHMA when the incident occurred, SICHMA would have;
Down-graded all animals on the day as non-halal.
Ensured that the halal slaughterman and their jobs were protected.
Ensured that the drainage issues were fixed prior to recommencing any work.
Ensured that the halal standards and protocols were fully implemented and applied.
“SICHMA tried to cover up”
This allegation is totally false. How can SICHMA cover up something that we are not told of or are aware of. We call upon the slaughterman to prove such an allegation.
Recently, one of our Executive Management team contacted the halal slaughterman on two occasions over 2 days to ensure that the slaughterman was OK, to discuss whether he needed any assistance and to request a meeting to gather information.
“Abdullah”
The slaughterman did not answer the 2 calls however the call was returned on the following day. During the conversation, the slaughterman then stated that we had the “Wrong Number”. It appears that the slaughterman did not want to communicate with us. We have now written to the slaughterman through our lawyer seeking a meeting. We have also asked that he desist in making false statements and correcting what he has previously said.
SICHMA conducted an audit of the abattoir in question on the 13 April 2022. After the photos were initially published online it took some time to verify that the abattoir was in fact in the one referred to from the limited vision. The following are facts from this audit;
The slaughterman/whistle blower who took the pictures was still employed by the abattoir at the time of audit.
The slaughterman was interviewed on his own by the SICHMA Lead Auditor and Islamic Affairs Expert.
The slaughterman did not raise any concerns or issues with our audit team even though he was on his own without any of his halal team or abattoir management around.
If the slaughterman had advised SICHMA of the issue on the day then why would he not raise the matter with the lead auditor who is also the SICHMA QA Manager. The QA Manager had also previously provided his business card to the slaughterman at previous audits. The slaughterman discussed freely his life, family and children on the day but not the incident in question. We fail to understand any possible reasoning for this.
We understand that the Muslim Slaughterman was dismissed from his role at the abattoir on or about the 22nd April 2022, some period after this audit.
SICHMA Conducted an Unannounced Audit on 23rd May 2022. The objective was to view the slaughter processes and investigate the incident which has now been confirmed as occurring on the 29th March 2022. Interviews with the slaughterman were conducted and the process and work instruction required to be carried during such an event was also discussed.
It is very unfortunate for all concerned that the issue has resulted in such a manner. Had the matter been reported to SICHMA on the day, SICHMA would have ensured that the Halal Standards and Protocols were applied to its full extent and the lamb would have been down-graded to non-halal.
As a reputable halal certifier, SICHMA understands its responsibility and will further tighten and improve its audit techniques well in excess of the requirements of the halal standards. SICHMA has also reviewed the training of the Muslim slaughterman at all abattoirs certified and will carry out and implement further training by our Islamic Affairs Expert.
Question 3. What is the organizational and work structure you are employing at slaughter houses across the country?
It appears that people do not understand the halal standards and protocols because we keep getting asked similar questions. SICHMA does not engage or authorise any labour hire providers to act on its behalf. SICHMA is a halal certifier only. We do NOT employ either directly or indirectly (sub-contract) any Muslim Slaughterman. We audit the abattoir regularly. Whilst we are not involved in this employment process, SICHMA has AUSMEAT ID Cards issued to the Muslim slaughterman confirming that they are Muslims and competent slaughterman.
Question 4. Do you utilize sub-contractors? If so, who are they?
SICHMA does not have any contractual relationships or agreements with any labour hire provider.
Rest assured, SICHMA does not take halal lightly. We understand the severity of the issues. Even the best halal standards in the world is only as good as the people involved in the process. If one part of the process fails, then the whole things fails. Similar to one wheel of a car falling off, the car would not function properly.
SICHMA welcomes any questions by the media, halal accreditation bodies or Governments regarding and concerns that people may have. Making judgements without having the correct information only violates our rights (Haqq).
Allah knows best,
Adem Cetinay
Vice Chairman
SICHMA
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