The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) has called on the government to publicly disclose the list of catering companies awarded contracts at public hospitals, along with their halal certification status.
FOMCA CEO T. Saravanan highlighted a case involving a hospital in Cheras that awarded a RM25.64 million catering contract to a company lacking halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), describing it as indicative of serious shortcomings in the government’s procurement process.
“This issue must be addressed urgently to restore public confidence,” Saravanan told FMT.
He urged the Ministry of Health to publish the names of catering companies and their halal status either on its official website or on hospital notice boards.
“Such transparency would allow patients and their families — as the primary consumers — to raise concerns directly with the companies involved or clarify any doubts regarding the halal status of food provided,” he said.
Saravanan stressed that only companies with valid halal certification from JAKIM should be eligible to participate in government tenders for catering services.
According to the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report Series 2, a company identified as 0267299-T secured a three-year contract to supply meals for patients at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), despite not having a halal certificate. The contract was initially intended to ensure the provision of halal food in line with HCTM’s main kitchen, which is certified by JAKIM.
The audit also revealed that HCTM’s technical evaluation committee had not recommended the company, as it had failed to meet essential technical criteria — including the absence of both halal and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification.
Furthermore, the committee noted that the company lacked the necessary experience, as well as sufficient servers and food trolleys, leading to its technical disqualification.
In response, Saravanan urged the government to strengthen the eligibility criteria for catering tenders at public institutions, especially hospitals, and to conduct regular audits on contractors.
“These audits must specifically evaluate food handling procedures, daily operations, and caterers’ understanding of halal standards to ensure strict compliance with contractual obligations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Kemasyarakatan Rakyat president Faizan Nor questioned how the contract was awarded in the first place, given the company’s failure to meet fundamental tender requirements. He called on both JAKIM and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the matter thoroughly.
