PETALING JAYA: Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim today stressed the halal meat cartel scandal is not just an issue affecting Muslims.
In a post on his Twitter account, the DAP lawmaker pointed out that the scandal has also raised doubts about the quality and nutrition of food being imported into the country.
“The issue of meat cartels is not just a problem for Muslims. Now, the quality and nutrition of all our food is a question mark,” he said.
“If non-halal meat can enter (Malaysia) due to corruption, is it possible that diseased or contaminated meat can also get through?
“This is what happens when corruption becomes the lifeblood of our society.”
An exposé by the New Straits Times on Dec 21 alleged that senior officers from at least four government agencies were working with a cartel to import non-certified meat, including kangaroo and horse meat, into Malaysia and passing it off as halal-certified products.
Quoting unnamed sources, the newspaper claimed senior officers who were tasked with maintaining halal standards had received bribes and sexual services in exchange for ensuring the cartel’s operations went undetected.
Stating that corruption has damaged the people’s confidence in institutions that should have been safeguarding the interests of society, Sim called upon the government to act immediately in exposing those involved in the cartel and taking the heaviest action possible against them.