Rokiah Mahmud
The issue of halal certificate and logo violation, the halal and haram status as well as the role of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) were among topics discussed at the 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman inquired the halal and haram status of certain food items that have gone viral in other countries.
He said it causes doubt among people pertaining to the product’s halal status as it is categorised as non-halal in another country, and if Brunei also follows suit.
Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman said, “When certain foreign products are declared as non-halal – referring to Malaysia – the MoRA through the Halal Food Control Division (BKMH) will check the status of these products claimed as non-halal.”
“If the information is true and under investigation the ministry will inform the public regarding the non-halal food and immediately order for the product to be removed from the halal section.”
Meanwhile, in terms of halal certification, there is stipulation for mutual recognition of halal status among MABIMS member countries.
“However, the matter has yet to be formalised, though an informal agreement for mutual recognition of what is halal is handled case by case,” he said.
In response to LegCo member Yang Berhormat Amran bin Haji Maidin’s query on the violation of halal certification and halal logo, the minister said several initiatives have been carried out to address the matter, and among them are issuing short messaging-service (SMS) and letters by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) to remind companies to renew their halal certification three months before the expiry date.
Monitoring is also conducted via patrols and joint operations to ensure that companies adhere to the rules and regulations of halal certification and logo.
In explaining the MoRA’s role on food import, specifically raw and processed meats raised by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin, the minister said despite the Halal Meat Act (183) focussing on raw meat, the application of products such as sausages, nuggets and patties are also included under the process.
In terms of canned meat products and processed meats, the minister said the ministry is currently looking into the rule and regulation as well as its practicality.