KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 – The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has reportedly confirmed it has received samples of frozen squid rings which some social media users accused of being pig intestines or rectum.
Daily Malay Harian Metro today quoted Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi as saying that the sample has been submitted to the Chemical Department for analysis, and its officers are still awaiting the analysis report.
“The investigation was carried out after receiving complaints from the public. So far, two investigation files have been opened.
“The product was also sent to the chemistry department for testing to confirm its contents. After that, issues related to whether it is halal or otherwise will be referred to Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim),” he said.
Last week, a post surfaced on social media alleging that frozen squid rings being sold by a company were actually pig intestines – justifying its claim by saying that if they were squid there would be stains on it, unlike the products in an attached image.
Yesterday, the Shen Hua Resources company held a press conference with its halal certification officers and said the social media post was ‘fake news’.
Its chief executive, Rodney Soon, said he reported the matter to the police and is taking legal action against two online users who allegedly posted the message.
The company said the ministry and Jakim collected eight sample boxes from Kedah at 10:30 a.m. on March 5 and six sample boxes from Selangor at 11 a.m. on March 7 for testing.
