KUALA LUMPUR: The recent controversy surrounding the alleged misuse of the halal logo on sandwiches sold at a store on the Universiti Malaya campus highlights the need for greater understanding and sensitivity, rather than causing unnecessary uproar.
In the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast with Shahril Hamdan, Khairy Jamaluddin said that these issues should not be dismissed or trivialised, as they concerned the respect for Muslim sensitivities.
"This is all about sensitivity. Some may laugh and call Malaysia 'kuno' for discussing such matters, but the issue is growing among Muslims.
"It's not just about ham, even though it's not necessarily pork; it's about the use of the halal certification and the importance of maintaining its credibility.
"When a company misuses the halal logo, it undermines trust and creates unnecessary anxiety," he said.
The former Umno youth chief said the misuse of the halal logo erodes public trust and causes unnecessary anxiety.
"There must be stricter enforcement of halal certification standards. This is not only a religious matter; it is also about consumer trust. It's important to treat this issue seriously, not as something trivial," he added.
Shahril also weighed in, noting that controversial topics like the halal sandwich often carried political implications and could confuse Muslims.
"While we might believe that Muslims aren't easily confused, the real issue lies in how we prioritise Islamic narratives in public spaces.
"Universiti Malaya, as a place of learning and a public space, plays a key role in addressing the importance of halal certification. The presence and clarity of Islam in public spaces should always be maintained," he said.
He added that such controversies, especially those related to Muslim sensitivities, reflected a clash of ideologies.
"What we're seeing is a clash of ideologies and visions. One side believes Islam should always be at the forefront when addressing these issues.
"This is not just a legal matter; it's about how we shape the narrative. Some may view this as a small issue — why make it bigger or treat it as a threat? But that's where the tension lies. If it's not resolved, it will continue."
The issue arose when a sandwich sold at a KK Concept Store at Universiti Malaya sparked public outcry due to the display of the Malaysian halal logo on its packaging.
Two KK Super Mart outlets at UM were shut down on Jan 10 following inspections by Jakim and the ministry.
KK Super Mart said that the sandwich supplier, Shake And Bake Cafe, had provided a halal certificate for the chicken ham and cheese ingredients.
KK Super Mart later announced legal action against the supplier for misusing the halal certification, adding that it had ceased all business dealings with Shake And Bake Cafe.
On Jan 15, unity government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet had not discussed the sandwich issue.