KUCHING, Dec 18: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) has clarified that there is no prohibition for establishments with Malaysia’s Halal Certification (SPHM) to include festive wishes or greetings on cakes or similar products.
“We wish to advise Halal certificate holders to consult with the department first if there are any confusion related to the Halal certification,” JAKIM stated on a Facebook post.
This clarification comes in response to a recent controversy where a bakery allegedly prohibited staff from decorating cakes with Christmas greetings.
The bakery’s company memo dated December 14, 2023, had informed staff not to write “Merry Christmas or X’Mas” on cakes if requested by customers.
“The reason is that we are holding the Halal certificate; we should fully support and meet all the Halal requirements, rules and regulations by JAKIM,” the memo read.
The issue sparked an uproar among netizens who called for a boycott of the bakery. – TVS
