The business licences of two food and beverage companies in Melaka will not be revoked, even though their Malaysian halal certification was recently withdrawn. The certification was retracted following allegations that the companies used brushes made of pig bristles to clean their equipment.
Senior exco member for housing, local government, drainage, climate change and disaster management, Rais Yasin, clarified that neither firm had violated the business licence conditions set by the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB). He noted that while the companies faced issues with their religious certification, their standing with the local council remains intact.
Regulatory oversight by religious departments
The violations regarding halal certification procedures and requirements have already been managed by the Melaka Islamic religious department and the Islamic development department. These agencies are responsible for overseeing the standards and compliance of halal products and services within the state and country.
Rais Yasin informed reporters that, to date, MBMB has not received any formal reports or complaints suggesting that these companies breached the specific terms of their business licences. The distinction between a local government business permit and a voluntary halal certificate means that the loss of one does not automatically trigger the cancellation of the other.
Regret over the incident
Speaking at the Santuni Kasih Aidilfitri gathering held in conjunction with the 23rd anniversary of the Melaka Historic City celebration, Rais Yasin expressed personal regret over the situation. He highlighted the sensitivity of the issue for the Muslim community and voiced hope that similar incidents would be avoided by other business operators in the future.
The event was also attended by MBMB mayor Shadan Othman. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all business premises adhere to the necessary guidelines while respecting the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Malaysian public.
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