Latest news with #StateIslamicReligiousAffairsCommittee
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Johor religious school canteens to get halal certification by 2024
JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 138 government religious school canteens in Johor will receive halal certification by the end of this year. The initiative is part of the Johor State Halal Development Plan 2030, aimed at improving compliance and awareness among food providers. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the first phase covers 50 Grade A and 88 Grade B school canteens. The remaining 437 Grade C canteens will be addressed in stages starting next year. 'This initiative is part of the state government's efforts to reach the target of 500 new halal certificates by the end of this year as an initial step towards achieving 5,000 by 2030,' he said in a Facebook post. The state government also plans to expand halal certification efforts to the private sector, supporting the development of a stronger halal ecosystem in Johor. Currently, Johor has 1,200 halal certificate holders, a number expected to grow with the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) development. 'Halal is not only a religious obligation for Muslims, but it has also been recognised as a benchmark for high standards of cleanliness, management, and business integrity,' Mohd Fared added. The Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) and Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) are working on a more efficient halal certification process to encourage more applicants. Mohd Fared emphasized the need to change public perception that halal certification is costly and time-consuming. - Bernama
New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Haj scam: Johor govt saddened, ready to assist relevant authorities
JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has expressed disappointment over claims that Malaysian pilgrims were victims of a fraudulent haj package, allegedly confined and forced to take a perilous journey on foot to Makkah without proper documentation. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said he is closely monitoring the development of the case and praying for the safety of those affected. "We are saddened that such haj-related scams continue to occur. "What is even more distressing is that the alleged victims are elderly individuals and those with health issues," he said in a statement today. He urged the families of the victims to remain patient and place their full trust in the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation. The state government, he added, stands ready to assist the relevant authorities in resolving such issues and educate the public to be more cautious. Mohd Fared said there were no shortcuts in performing haj, and advised the public to rely on the expertise and advisory services of Tabung Haji. It was reported that 47 Malaysian pilgrims allegedly fell victim to the scam, believed to be linked to a prominent religious figure. A daughter of one of the victims claimed her parents and aunt left for Saudi Arabia to perform the haj with the said agent on May 9. However, upon arriving in Jeddah, they were allegedly forced to travel on foot via unsafe routes without valid haj visas, fearing strict enforcement by Saudi authorities. Three police reports Three police reports were lodged by the victims' families, with two of them were filed in Mantin, Negri Sembilan and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor.
Barnama
15-06-2025
- Barnama
Haj Scam: Johor Govt Saddened, urges Families To Trust authorities
JOHOR BAHRU, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Johor government has expressed disappointment over claims that Malaysian pilgrims were victims of a fraudulent haj package, allegedly confined and forced to take a perilous journey on foot to Makkah without proper documentation. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said he is closely monitoring the development of the case and praying for the safety of those affected. 'We are saddened that such haj-related scams continue to occur. What is even more distressing is that the victims are elderly individuals and those with health issues,' he said in a statement today. He urged the families of the victim to remain patient and place their full trust in the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation. The state government, he added, stands ready to assist the relevant authorities in resolving such issues and educate the public to be more cautious. Mohd Fared stressed that there are no shortcuts in performing haj, and advised the public to rely on the expertise and advisory services of Tabung Haji. According to media reports yesterday, 47 Malaysian pilgrims allegedly fell victim to the scam, believed to be linked to a prominent religious figure. A daughter of one of the victims claimed her parents and aunt left for Saudi Arabia to perform the haj with the said agent on May 9. However, upon arriving in Jeddah, they were allegedly forced to travel on foot via unsafe routes without valid haj visas, fearing strict enforcement by Saudi authorities.
Barnama
15-06-2025
- Barnama
Haj Scam: Johor Govt Saddened By Pilgrims' Ordeal, Urges Trust In Authorities
JOHOR BAHRU, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Johor government has expressed disappointment over reports that Malaysian pilgrims were victims of a fraudulent haj package, and were allegedly confined and forced to take a perilous journey on foot to Makkah without proper documentation. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said he is closely monitoring the situation and praying for the safety of those affected. 'We are saddened that such haj-related scams continue to occur. What is even more distressing is that the victims are elderly individuals and those with health issues,' he said in a statement today. He urged the families of the victim to remain patient and place their full trust in the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation. The state government, he added, stands ready to assist the relevant authorities in resolving such issues and educate the public to be more cautious. Mohd Fared stressed that there are no shortcuts in performing haj, and advised the public to rely on the expertise and advisory services of Tabung Haji. According to media reports yesterday, 47 Malaysian pilgrims allegedly fell victim to the scam, believed to be linked to a prominent religious figure. A daughter of one of the victims claimed her parents and aunt left for Saudi Arabia to perform the haj with the said agent on May 9. However, upon arriving in Jeddah, they were allegedly forced to travel on foot via unsafe routes without valid haj visas, fearing strict enforcement by Saudi authorities.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- The Sun
Haj scam: Johor govt saddened by pilgrims' ordeal, urges trust in authorities
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government has expressed disappointment over reports that Malaysian pilgrims were victims of a fraudulent haj package, and were allegedly confined and forced to take a perilous journey on foot to Makkah without proper documentation. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said he is closely monitoring the situation and praying for the safety of those affected. 'We are saddened that such haj-related scams continue to occur. What is even more distressing is that the victims are elderly individuals and those with health issues,' he said in a statement today. He urged the families of the victim to remain patient and place their full trust in the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation. The state government, he added, stands ready to assist the relevant authorities in resolving such issues and educate the public to be more cautious. Mohd Fared stressed that there are no shortcuts in performing haj, and advised the public to rely on the expertise and advisory services of Tabung Haji. According to media reports yesterday, 47 Malaysian pilgrims allegedly fell victim to the scam, believed to be linked to a prominent religious figure. A daughter of one of the victims claimed her parents and aunt left for Saudi Arabia to perform the haj with the said agent on May 9. However, upon arriving in Jeddah, they were allegedly forced to travel on foot via unsafe routes without valid haj visas, fearing strict enforcement by Saudi authorities.
