KUALA LUMPUR: The case involving more than 6.5 tonnes of raw chicken seized at a Puchong plant over halal violations is still at the investigation stage, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
“This is still at the investigation stage and it is under the Selangor government.
“We respect the state authority, and Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) is ready to help together with Jais (Selangor Islamic Religious Department), the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, the police and the Health Ministry,” he said.
Zulkifli said this when winding up the committee-stage debate on the Supply Bill 2027, in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to members of parliament who questioned the lack of clear accountability over the case and sought clarification on where the seized chickens had been distributed.
Zulkifli said the agencies had coordinated and conducted joint operations, although there were legal constraints.
“All agencies are paying attention to strengthening this, and I will bring this up,” he said.
Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Md Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) said the minister’s earlier response suggested there was a lack of coordination in halal enforcement.
“When a big issue arises like the carcass chicken case, it seems no party takes real responsibility,” he said.
“When we ask the name of this factory and the operator, no party answers. Why isn’t it disclosed? Where was it supplied? No party is taking responsibility.”
He said Malaysians were diligent about checking the halal status of products when overseas but tended to trust traders at home.
“If they say it is halal, we trust it is halal. But what happened shows there may be many more such cases below the surface,” he said.
Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) said the case had sparked widespread concern, with many seeking answers about the distribution of the seized chickens.
“40,000 carcasses a day, but we don’t know where they went.
“It’s only said they went to several places, and we don’t know where they were supplied. Does the ministry consider disclosing where these carcass chickens were sent?” he asked.
Police said on Nov 1 that the plant in Kampung Sri Aman Hilir, Puchong, which was raided during Op Taring Chiller, could process more than 40,000 chickens a day, although the actual number was still being investigated.
The chickens were believed to have been distributed to eateries, grocery shops and business premises in Damansara, Bangi, Puchong, Cheras, Putra Perdana and Putrajaya.
The case is being investigated under the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011 and the Environmental Quality Act 1974.