Local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the state government’s decision only applies to outlets serving Muslims, reported Berita Harian.

However, he said the ruling is applicable to non-Muslim outlets if they sell consumables to Muslim customers.

“The policy decision requiring halal certification was not made hastily as it was decided by the state executive council in 2016 and further refined by the local government, housing, and health committee in 2020,” he said.

“Owners of seven specific categories of business premises in Kelantan were given advance notice of the decision through their respective local authorities in 2020, and they were encouraged to apply for halal certification as it is not mandatory,” he said.

Hilmi said non-Muslim outlets can continue to serve pork dishes such as bak kut teh and roasted pork.

He said the move to make halal certification mandatory was initiated by the Kota Bharu Municipal Council earlier this year as it wanted to protect consumers in the state, 95% of whom are Malays.

Yesterday, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said local authorities are not allowed to impose mandatory halal certification on food and beverage operators as a condition for business licence renewal.

He said the Cabinet previously agreed that while the government encourages businesses to apply for halal certification, it is not mandatory.

“Therefore, local authorities must respect this and avoid action that contradicts the Cabinet’s decision as the nation’s highest executive body,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.