BY Azlan Othman

Action was taken against six premises using a halal logo or label of Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) without approval and two premises possessing expired halal certificates by Enforcement officers at the Halal Food Control Division at the Syariah Affairs Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) during a major operation around the Menglait area in Gadong on Wednesday.

The premises were given notices and asked to remove the expired halal certificate and invalid halal label.

The operation was carried out nationwide in stages with the latest focussing on restaurants and food production premises around the Menglait area.

Previous operations were carried out in Batu Satu, Bandar area, Kiulap, Gadong and Batu Bersurat.

From the nationwide operation, some 83 food premises were inspected with 37 premises, or 44.6 per cent, had yet to apply for halal certification. They were issued notices to submit their application according to the time specified.

The inspection was carried out to enforce Section 4 (1) and Section 10 (1) (a) of the Halal Certificate and Halal Label (Amendment) Order 2017 on the obligation to apply for the halal certificate or halal permit of Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) to food businesses in the Sultanate.

The failure will lead to legal action for committing offence under Section 12 (3) (a) and Section 35 of the Halal Certificate and Halal Label Order. 2005.

The penalty for committing such an offence leads to a fine of up to BND4,000-BND8,000 or one to two years’ imprisonment or both.

Application to obtain the halal certificate or halal permit for food businesses operating in the country is mandatory.

The Syariah Affairs Department at the MoRA urged food businesses yet to acquire the halal certificate or halal permit to forward their application immediately.

Failure to do so will lead to legal action under Section 4 (5) and Section 10 (6) of the Halal Certificate and Halal Label (Amendment) Order, 2017 with a fine up to BND8,000 or maximum of two years’ imprisonment or both.

Holders of the halal certificate and halal permit are reminded to ensure that they are valid and should renew their certificate within three months of its expiration date.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin