THERE is nothing wrong for Indian food and beverage operators to seek halal certification as it can expand their market to include Muslims patrons, said Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister R. Ramanan.

Ramanan said this in response to certain quarters who had make an issue over the need for Indian restaurant owners to seek halal certification when applying for aid under the Indian entrepreneur fund of Bank Rakyat.

The Sungai Buloh MP said that the halal condition is not an outright requirement but is suggested by the bank that it would be better if food enterprises have halal certification, since they can expand their businesses faster.

Almost all major eateries in the country are halal certified and Malaysia is a global leader when it comes to such Islamic standards, Ramanan said after meeting Indian residents at a community hall in Bandar Tasek Mutiara 5 in Sungai Bakar, Penang today.

Clarifying the situation, Ramanan said that certain quarters were out to fuel the ambers of racialism by making an issue out of Bank Rakyat’s requirement for halal certificate.

He cited an example of the Pelita nasi kandar restaurant chain which has grown by leaps and bounds after its Penang-born owner M. Ramesh decided to seek halal approval.

Today, Ramesh also owns the biggest hotel in Prai, called The Light.

“There is nothing wrong with this suggestion. Even if the Indian restaurant operators do not have the halal certificates, we can still process their applications for aid. We are just advising them to have it so they can grow their businesses faster.”

Ramanan said that even China companies are heading to Malaysia to obtain halal certification, so they can tap the Muslim global market.

At last count, the Muslim world consumer market is said to be over 1.9 billion, some 20 percent of the global population.

Ramanan also chided former Pakatan Harapan (PH) politicians who like to use the polemic issues of race, religion and royalty (3R) to fish for votes, saying that PH is a coalition which helps all Malaysians irrespective of their race and religion.

He warned that he is losing patience with such politicians likening them to “jokers and clowns,” who are intentionally using the 3R to gain mileage.

“I am mulling about lodging a police report. I will consider doing it the next time such persons use 3R, especially if it is laced with lies and slander,” said Ramanan.

Also present at the event was the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Sungai Bakap state by-election, Dr Joohari Ariffin.

Meanwhile, Muda has issued a statement to state that it will not contest, leaving socialist party - PRM has the only one who may contest in the polls. – June 21, 2024.