JAKIM Probes Appointment Of Hospital Catering Company Without Halal Certification
Its director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said JAKIM aimed to find the best approach and would collaborate with the relevant parties to ensure the matter could be addressed collectively in a harmonious manner.
'There may be confusion or misunderstanding, which is why we are gathering further information and investigating. We are not looking to blame any party.
'JAKIM only became aware of this issue after it was mentioned in the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN),' he told reporters after launching the 2025 Halal and Fatwa Seminar (Sehalwa) organised by the Institute of Fatwa and Halal, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), here today.
Sirajuddin said JAKIM would also explore the most suitable solution to address the appointment of companies without halal certification to operate catering services, including at government premises.
Sirajuddin explained that halal certification inspections at such premises fall under the jurisdiction of the appointing agency, and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has stipulated that all food suppliers must have halal certification.
He added that JAKIM is ready to assist food suppliers in obtaining halal certification, and reiterated that all agencies must ensure the companies possess halal certificates before being appointed.
Meanwhile, Sirajuddin said JAKIM received 19,686 applications for the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) last year, comprising 5,650 from Bumiputera companies and 13,206 from non-Bumiputera companies, with the remainder from foreign-owned companies.
'Some Bumiputera companies may assume that being Malay and Muslim means they don't need halal certification, but this mindset must change. JAKIM has never closed its doors, and we will continue encouraging Bumiputera players to apply for SPHM,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 minutes ago
- The Star
Comprehensive reforms needed if govt continues with Pre-Q procurement method, says Deputy Finance Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Comprehensive improvements to the government's selective pre-qualification procurement method (Pre-Q) is needed if it is to be continued in the future, says Lim Hui Ying. The Deputy Finance Minister said the improvements are necessary following the Auditor-General' Report findings of weaknesses in the system including manipulation for bidding companies to be shortlisted. "The Ministry takes note of the audit findings and recommendations. "If the Pre-Q method is to be introduced again in the future, overall improvements are needed which has to be carefully looked at, particularly the aspects which could give rise to manipulation," she said when wrapping up her ministerial replies when debating the Auditor-General's Report in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). She acknowledged that the report had found weaknesses in the Pre-Q method, which was introduced by the Finance under a pilot project in March 2023. The aim of the Pre-Q method was to improve the open tender process to ensure that high impact project meant for the rakyat were implemented swiftly, she noted. She said that the ministry had requested the Auditor-General's Department conduct an audit of the Pre-Q method on several ministries in August last year to determine its effectiveness, which was completed in April this year. Among the weaknesses found during the audit, was at the two-stage evaluation process where companies were shortlisted for bidding for government projects. "There was manipulation at this stage for companies to be shortlisted for the second stage of bidding," she said. She said that the evaluation process need to be improved and made more transparent if the Pre-Q method is to be reintroduce in the future. She noted that the Pre-Q pilot project had ended on Dec 31 last year. The audit noted that the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry did not comply with the evaluation criteria stipulated by the Finance Ministry. The audit found that six companies even passed the first stage without submitting required documents, with three of them later awarded Letters of Acceptance (LOA) for flood mitigation projects in Penang, Pahang and Selangor totalling over RM811mil under the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry. Furthermore, seven companies that did not have the financial capacity were invited to participate in the second round, up to four times under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. One of these companies was awarded the LOA for an RM40.1mil road upgrade works in Tumpat, Kelantan. This was the first time that the Auditor-General's Report was tabled in Parliament for debates.
The Star
13 minutes ago
- The Star
Defence Ministry acknowledges delays in Gempita vehicle delivery
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has acknowledged delays in the delivery of 68 Gempita armoured vehicles and two other vehicles by a company from 2020 to 2023, says Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari. He said the ministry issued a late penalty notice of RM162.75mil on January 15. In response, the company - Deftech - appealed for the penalty to be waived, citing force majeure due to the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "The appeal was discussed in a Contract Coordination Panel meeting on May 6, resulting in the company being fined RM162.75mil. "An execution bond of RM53.9mil will be seized, and the remaining penalty will be settled through current contracts or separate collections," he said when wrapping up his ministerial replies during the debate on the Auditor-General's Report in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). This was the first time the A-G Report was tabled for debate. Adly also said the company is required to pay, with two methods outlined by the coordination panel. "On June 25, a directive was issued to banks to seize RM53.9mil, with the remaining RM108mil to be offset through other contracts with Mindef. "The Gempita vehicles, initially due in 2017, received an extension until 2022, and the penalty system could be improved in procurement processes. "Mindef acknowledged weaknesses in contract terms and is developing a monitoring system for better oversight," he added. Previously, it was reported that weaknesses were identified in the procurement of the army's armoured vehicle fleet, including a two-year delay in issuing late delivery penalty claims. The Auditor-General's Department found that the weaknesses included uncollected late delivery penalties amounting to RM162.75mil under the Gempita armoured vehicle supply contract, unimposed late service penalties amounting to RM1.42mil under the maintenance, repair, and spare parts supply contract, as well as procurements totalling RM107.54mil executed through contract splitting. The Auditor-General also found delivery delays ranging between six and 1,048 days for 70 vehicles.
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Fuel prices unchanged for RON95, RON97, and diesel in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has confirmed that fuel prices for RON95, RON97, and diesel will remain unchanged for the week of July 24 to 30. RON95 will stay at RM2.05 per litre, while RON97 remains at RM3.21 per litre. Diesel prices will also hold steady at RM2.15 per litre in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, and RM2.91 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia. The pricing is determined using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) formula, which adjusts weekly based on global oil market trends. 'The government will continue to monitor global oil price trends and take appropriate measures to safeguard the welfare and well-being of the people,' MOF stated. – Bernama
