Authorities in Sandakan conducted a raid on a cold storage facility for allegedly keeping halal and non-halal food products in the same location.
The raid took place at 11am on Wednesday (Nov 8), with enforcement officials from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Sandakan branch and state Veterinary Services Department discovering that chicken, duck, and pork were stored together.
According to Azdy Zukkry John, the ministry’s chief enforcement officer for the district, a total of 864kg of frozen goods worth over RM17,000 were seized during the raid.
He stated that the case is being investigated under the Trade Description Act 2011 (definition of halal), with potential fines of up to RM5mil for corporate bodies or companies for a first offence, and up to RM10mil for subsequent offences if found guilty.Individuals could face fines of up to RM1mil or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, for a first offence, and up to RM5mil in fines or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for subsequent offences.
Azdy also mentioned that the ministry intends to continue conducting regular checks and inspections on cold storage facilities in Sandakan to ensure compliance with all relevant laws.
