KUALA LUMPUR – Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was merely carrying out her duty to represent her constituent in voicing objections to a proposal for mandatory halal certification involving food businesses that do not serve pork and alcohol, said Anthony Loke.
The DAP secretary-general defended Kok, who is the party’s vice chairperson, saying she had a responsibility to voice out concerns affecting her voters, especially when the matter at hand could affect non-Muslim restaurant owners.
“As an MP, she (Kok) certainly has a duty to voice her opinions,” Loke was quoted as saying by Harian Metro in Ipoh, Perak, today.
“What she expressed could be a response to concerns, particularly from non-Muslim restaurants worried about being required to obtain halal certification.
“Of course, any policy and decision will be discussed at the cabinet level. Whatever it is, the cabinet will discuss it, so there is no need for polemics.”
Loke, who is also transport minister, said this at a press conference after officiating a Perak DAP convention today.
He added that the proposal has yet to be finalised and will have to be deliberated on by the relevant authorities as it involves legal amendments affecting other processes.
“It is common in our country for many issues to be politicised and we, in the government, are trying to address them.
“Any issue can be resolved at the government level through the cabinet,” he added.
Kok’s statement yesterday was against the proposal for mandatory halal certification which was raised by religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar last week.
Na’im had said the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was considering the move since obtaining halal certification was currently on a voluntary basis for restaurant operators or food business owners.
Responding to Na’im’s confirmation on the matter, Kok cautioned that it could significantly burden small businesses, curtail consumer freedom and potentially put Malaysia’s cultural diversity at threat.
Kok’s remarks drew the ire of several quarters, including Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia.
Asked about Kok’s statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier today said the DAP lawmaker should not have stirred controversy by raising her views in public.
“We have to take care of the sentiments of both Muslims and non-Muslims. She should bring it (her views) for discussion,” Anwar said. – September 8, 2024