Not allowed: Travellers to Miri were deprived of their chicken meat yesterday at a spot check conducted by enforcement and religious agencies at the Sungai Tujoh control post. Picture: Zamri Zainal
Sunday, December 30, 2007
MEMBERS of the public returning from their day trips to Miri yesterday, December 28, were shocked by the sudden spot checks conducted by the enforcement agencies of the Royal Brunei Customs and Excise Department and the Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The shock came with a request by the enforcement agencies for members of the public to turn in the chicken wings and sausages that they had purchased in Miri due to what was explained as contrary to Halal Haram Act 183.
According to those that were affected during the spot check, the authorities conducted a thorough inspection of their cars and were confiscated of their meat as they were told that the meat they brought in was considered dubious.
One person that was affected, who declined to be named, said that to the best of her knowledge the authorities were only allowed to confiscate the meat if it was suspected to be used for commercial activity and not for personal use.
She pointed out that most of the people who were confiscated of their meat were only carrying as little as one to five kilogrammes, which to her knowledge, was not really enough to be sold to the public.
According to another source, who tried to carry in two kilogrammes of chicken wings, he was told by the authorities that the meat he was carrying in was considered not halal.
The question of the authorities rights came into view as most of the people that brought in the meat, for personal use, were either planning on celebrating new year's with a barbecue or using the meat for their daily consumption and were left feeling unsatisfied by the actions taken.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs website, when the Halal Meats Act Section 183 and the 1999 Halal Meats regulations was formed, the Ad Hoc committee and the Halal Meats Import Body responsible for regulating the halal act was changed to the Halal Foods Control Section of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
This section is now responsible for overseeing, regulating and managing all the halal foods in the country especially raw meats whether it be local or otherwise.
Those that were affected that day wondered whether the actions taken by the authorities were appropriate or not as some thought that confiscating their meat during the spot checks was a shocking experience as they were unsure of the rules for bringing in the meat.
However, the relevant authorities were not available for comment yesterday, regarding the actions that were carried out at the spot check. Nevertheless, it is still an offence to bring in meat, that is deemed 'dubious' by the authorities.The Brunei Times
The shock came with a request by the enforcement agencies for members of the public to turn in the chicken wings and sausages that they had purchased in Miri due to what was explained as contrary to Halal Haram Act 183.
According to those that were affected during the spot check, the authorities conducted a thorough inspection of their cars and were confiscated of their meat as they were told that the meat they brought in was considered dubious.
One person that was affected, who declined to be named, said that to the best of her knowledge the authorities were only allowed to confiscate the meat if it was suspected to be used for commercial activity and not for personal use.
She pointed out that most of the people who were confiscated of their meat were only carrying as little as one to five kilogrammes, which to her knowledge, was not really enough to be sold to the public.
According to another source, who tried to carry in two kilogrammes of chicken wings, he was told by the authorities that the meat he was carrying in was considered not halal.
The question of the authorities rights came into view as most of the people that brought in the meat, for personal use, were either planning on celebrating new year's with a barbecue or using the meat for their daily consumption and were left feeling unsatisfied by the actions taken.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs website, when the Halal Meats Act Section 183 and the 1999 Halal Meats regulations was formed, the Ad Hoc committee and the Halal Meats Import Body responsible for regulating the halal act was changed to the Halal Foods Control Section of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
This section is now responsible for overseeing, regulating and managing all the halal foods in the country especially raw meats whether it be local or otherwise.
Those that were affected that day wondered whether the actions taken by the authorities were appropriate or not as some thought that confiscating their meat during the spot checks was a shocking experience as they were unsure of the rules for bringing in the meat.
However, the relevant authorities were not available for comment yesterday, regarding the actions that were carried out at the spot check. Nevertheless, it is still an offence to bring in meat, that is deemed 'dubious' by the authorities.The Brunei Times