Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has clarified that halal certificate holders are allowed to write celebratory festive greetings on cakes for customers to take home.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) stated that he has instructed the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to issue a clear statement on the matter.
He emphasized that there are no restrictions on writing festival greetings on cakes sold by halal certificate holders for customers and has asked Jakim to disseminate information on the issue through a video.
An internal memo from a cake house had instructed staff not to write “Merry Christmas” or “X’Mas” on cakes, citing the need to comply with halal certification requirements by Jakim.
The bakery’s owner has not responded to queries about the purported circular.
Earlier, Jakim addressed a similar issue stating that festive greetings are allowed on products if they are not displayed in a premise with a halal certification or on products marked with the halal logo.
