Petaling Jaya: The fines stipulated under existing laws for any party guilty of misusing the halal logo are already high, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He noted that the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011 allows for companies to be fined up to RM5 million and individuals up to RM1 million, or face a maximum prison sentence of three years if found guilty.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Armizan emphasized that any party making representations that could mislead Muslims regarding halal matters would be fined accordingly. “.if we look at the law, the penalties are already high, and we hope this will be a deterrent for those who misuse the halal logo,” he told reporters after officiating the National Young Entrepreneurs Programme at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

Armizan further explained that under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) 2011, companies guilty of misusing the halal label could face fines up to RM200,000 for the first offence and up to RM500,000 for subsequent violations. Individuals could face a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both. For subsequent offences, the penalties increase to a fine of up to RM250,000 or imprisonment for up to five years or both.

Meanwhile, he mentioned that KPDN would consider proposals to enhance community compliance regarding halal logo issues. He highlighted the importance of taking an open approach in accepting and discussing suggestions from various parties and stakeholders involved.

Armizan referred to a suggestion by Federal Territories deputy mufti Jamali Mohd Adnan for KPDN to collaborate with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to review the possibility of increasing fines for those violating halal logo laws.

It was reported that KPDN opened an investigation into a sandwich bread factory in Sunway Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, for suspected misuse of the halal logo. KPDN enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam stated that the factory was being investigated for suspected violations of Paragraph 4(1) of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, which constitutes an offence under Paragraph 8(a) of the Trade Descriptions Order (Certification and Marking of Halal) 2011.