(Kuching, 27th) Sibu Division Chinese General Association President and Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Dato' Dr. Ngu Piew Seng harshly criticized the Kelantan state PAS government's policy of mandating all food and beverage operators to apply for halal certification as a condition for renewing their business licenses, pointing out that this move disregards the rights of non-Muslims, which is regrettable and unacceptable.
He emphasized that this policy is not only unreasonable but also causes serious unfairness to non-Muslim operators and consumers, undermining the spirit of a free market and the harmony of a multicultural society.
The Kelantan state PAS government announced yesterday, the 26th, that all food and beverage operators must apply for halal certification in the future to renew their business licenses.
In a statement today,Dato' Dr. Ngu Piew Seng pointed out that this policy seriously violates the principles of fairness and inclusivity, putting tremendous pressure on small and medium-sized food and beverage operators already facing economic challenges, adding insult to injury.
He revealed that non-Muslim food operators primarily serve non-Muslim customers, and enforcing halal certification is an unreasonable and absurd policy.
“This policy directly threatens the livelihoods of non-Muslim communities, ignoring their rights and contributions in the community. Traditional foods such as bak kut teh, char siu, and roast pork may be forced out of the market, which will damage Kelantan's business environment and multicultural characteristics.”
He emphasized that these mandatory measures not only increase operating costs for Muslim and non-Muslim operators but may also force many small and medium-sized food and beverage operators to close down or change their business direction. “This ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy is an unfair suppression of non-Muslim operators and a serious deprivation of consumer choice.”
Dato' Dr. Ngu Piew Seng reiterated that since the implementation of the halal certification system in 1974, it has always been based on voluntary principles, aiming to encourage operators to apply voluntarily through incentives and support rather than mandatory means.
He stated that this mechanism not only maintains fairness and market freedom but also sets an example for international halal certification.
“Halal certification should be a right for businesses to choose voluntarily, not be enforced. For operators serving a non-Muslim market and providing non-halal food, mandating halal certification is neither reasonable nor meaningful.”
Dato' Dr. Ngu Piew Seng stated that this policy by the Kelantan state government is equivalent to depriving the non-Muslim community of business autonomy and damaging the social multicultural and religious harmony.
He urged the Kelantan state government to think twice, immediately withdraw the policy, and respect the federal government's existing voluntary halal certification policy.
He suggested that the government should encourage businesses to apply voluntarily through optimizing halal certification procedures, simplifying processes, and enhancing the market benefits of halal certification, rather than enforcing mandatory measures.
“Malaysia is a multicultural society, and harmonious coexistence among ethnic groups is the foundation of the country's development. Any policy that undermines this principle will have profound negative impacts on national unity and economic development.”
He called on non-governmental organizations and business associations nationwide to speak out jointly against similar extreme policies, safeguarding the basic rights and commercial freedom of all ethnic groups.
He stated that the country's development must be built on the foundation of respect and inclusivity, not oppression and coercion.