KUALA LUMPUR — Fifty police reports have been lodged against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over her statement on mandatory halal certification, according to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
This was as of noon today, he told Bernama.
This morning, Kok, who is also DAP vice-chairperson, had her statement recorded at the Bukit Aman police headquarters to facilitate investigations into her statement calling for a review of a proposal for mandatory halal certification for food businesses, including those that do not serve pork and alcohol.
Bernama also reported Razarudin saying investigation papers would be sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers in two days’ time.
Kok is being investigated under Section 298 and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
Section 298 pertains to wounding the religious feelings of others, while Section 505 pertains to statements conducing to mischief. Section 233 of the CMA is on improper use of network facilities.
She reiterated to the media today that she is not opposing Jakim and the government’s efforts to promote halal certification, highlighting how she has told potential investors that the department’s standards for the certification is “one of the highest in the world”.
She said she was only raising concerns as an MP that making halal certification compulsory could be a potential added burden to businesses, besides impeding consumers’ freedom of choice and being “contrary to the spirit of cultural diversity in the country”.
She also said smaller businesses, including “thousands of Malay small restaurant entrepreneurs” would find it burdensome as the requirement would increase their administrative costs.
The proposal for mandatory halal certification was raised by religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar on September 5. — September 10, 2024
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