News From : DagangHalal.com (06 Apr 2010)
KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) — The Trade Descriptions Act 1972 will be amended to empower the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) as a competent authority in halal certification, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said the amendment would enable Jakim to flex its muscle in taking action against restaurants which flouted halal ruling.
“No more riding piggyback on the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry when conducting raids as the amendment will authorise Jakim to carry out checks, seizure, search and enter suspected premises,” she said when responding to a supplementary question from Taib Azamudden Md Taib (PAS-Baling).
Mashitah said the government would also launch a mammoth 1Halal 1Malaysia campaign to create awareness on halal certification.
To a supplementary question from Datuk Lilah Yasin (BN-Jempol), Mashitah said it was important to raise consumer awareness to ensure that they patronise restaurants or premises with halal certification.
“Do not take for granted if a restaurant is served by waitresses wearing scarves and displayed Quranic verses, it is a halal one,” she said.
Earlier, she said Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), which was entrusted with issuing halal certificates, was now tasked with promoting and upgrading the halal industry globally.
With the authority taken over by Jakim on Aug 1 last year, HDC now comes under the ambit of the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
— BERNAMA