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The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has stressed that it has never implemented a policy that allows food vendors to place stickers on eatery tables designating them for halal food only
In a statement yesterday, 3 June, the city council said it has taken note of the issue after a Facebook post questioned whether the 'For Halal Food Only' stickers were "the latest tool used to segregate Muslims and non-Muslims".
MBPP denied the claim, stating that it has never introduced such an initiative for food premises, public markets, or food complexes under its supervision and management. It added that the measure has never been implemented nor included in any of the council's official policies.
"An investigation conducted at the location on Jalan Terengganu revealed that a new burger stall operating inside a private food premise had placed halal logos on three tables designated for the stall's customers, in order to prevent those tables from being used by customers consuming non-halal food.
"MBPP, through its licensing department, has taken action by providing advice and warnings not to use the halal logo without approval, and to refrain from pasting anything that could stir up racial issues," it said, adding that the vendor has since complied with the directives and removed the stickers.
MBPP said it has consistently upheld the state government's inclusive policies, which prioritise harmony, mutual respect, and the wellbeing of people from diverse racial and religious backgrounds
The city council's statement came just a day after a Facebook user asked whether the halal stickers were part of a government policy.
"Malaysians are drifting from each other further away. Sarawak is fostering close ties among its people but not Penang. Stop the nonsense!" the user wrote.
Many netizens in the comments section did not verify the authenticity of the alleged policy before weighing in on the issue. Some criticised the practice as a form of segregation, while others argued that it was not discriminatory but rather a way to respect the dietary beliefs and preferences of different communities.
